THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 

GIFT  OF 

MABEL  R.  GILLIS 


THE  STARRY  FLAG; 


OR,     THK 


YOUNG  FISHERMAN  OF  CAPE  ANN, 


BY 


OLIVER    OPTIC, 

4OTHOR  OF  "TOCNG  AMERICA  ABROAD,"  "THE  ARMY  AND  NAVY  3TOBIK3,' 

"THE  WOODVILLE  STORIES,"  "THE  BOAT-CLUB  STOEIES," 

"THE  KIVERIJALE  STORIES,"  ETC. 


BOSTON 
LEE  AND   SHEPARD   PUBLISHERS 

1899 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  In  the  year  1867,  by 

WILLIAM  T.  ADAMS, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


COPYBIGHT,  1895,  BY  "WlLLIAM  T.  ADAMS. 

All  rights  reserved. 


•TARRY  FLAG. 


PS 
OO 


TO 


MY  YOUNG    FBIEND, 
JANE    LEE    TAYLOR^ 


IS  AFFECTIONATELY  DEDICATED. 


577459 


PREFACE. 


THE  STARRY  FLAG  is  the  first  of  a  series  of  stories  now  in 
course  of  publication  in  "  Oliver  Optic's  Magazine,  OUR  BOYS 
AND  GIRLS."  As  it  appeared  in  weekly  instalments,  it  was 
received  with  a  degree  of  favor  as  unexpected  as  it  was  grati 
fying  to  the  author;  and  he  gratefully  acknowledges  the  kind 
ness  of  his  young  friends,  whose  partiality  to  his  works  has 
heen  so  often  and  so  agreeably  manifested. 

Although  this  story  is  mainly  fiction,  it  is  not  without  a 
foundation  of  truth,  both  in  the  relations  of  the  hero  to  his 
uncle,  and  in  the  singular  event  upon  which  the  turning-point 
of  the  plot  rests.  The  localities  of  the  various  incidents  are 
intended  to  be  correctly  described,  as  they  were  fixed  in  the 
mind  of  the  writer  by  a  pleasant  sojourn  of  a  few  weeks  on 
Cape  Ann  during  a  summer  vacation. 

It  is  more  important  that  the  hero  should  be  worthy  of  the 

admiration  and  regard  of  the  reader  than  that  merely  local 

(6) 


6  PKKFACB. 

surroundings  should  be  accurately  delineated;  and  the  author 
hopes  that  his  young  friends,  while  they  strive  to  be  as  resolute 
and  daring  as  Levi,  will  also  endeavor  to  be  as  noble  and  true, 
as  void  of  offence  before  God  and  man,  as  he  labored  to  be. 

Since  the  publication  of  The  Starry  Flag  was  completed 
in  the  Magazine,  the  author  has  found  allusions  to  it  in  at  least 
a  hundred  letters  from  young  persons,  who  seem  to  be  strongly 
impressed  with  the  opinion  that  the  whole  story  has  not  been 
told.  Though  it  was  not  his  original  purpose  to  write  a  second 
story  with  the  same  characters,  the  author  has  neither  the 
inclination  nor  the  courage  to  disappoint  his  young  friends, 
and  at  no  distant  period  the  fortunes  of  Levi  Fairfield  and 
Bessie  Watson  will  be  followed  to  a  more  satisfactory  conclu 
sion  in  a  Sequel  to  The  Starry  Flag. 

HARRISON  SQUARE,  MASS., 
September  17,  1867. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTEK    I.  rA01 

THE  DINGY  DORY t  11 

CHAPTER    II. 
Two  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY  DOLLARS.      ....      22 

CHAPTER    III. 
DOCK  VINCENT ,        .33 

CHAPTER    IV 
A  PITCHED  BATTLE. .45 

CHAPTER    V. 
LEVI  FAIRFIELD'S  CHAMBER.    ...  57 

CHAPTER    VI. 
WHO  STOLE  THE  WALLET  ?     .  -69 

CHAPTER    VII. 

Oro  EASTERN  POINT .        .      80 

CD 


8  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    VIII. 
THE  TEMPEST  AND  THE  WRECK 92 

CHAPTER    IX. 
AFTER  THE  SQUALL. 103 

CHAPTER    X. 
DOCK  VINCENT'S  LITTLE  PLAN 114 

CHAPTER    XI. 
LEVI'B  CHAMBER 126 

CHAPTER    XII. 
LEVI  MAKES  A  SPEECH 137 

CHAPTER    XIII. 
MR.  HATCH'S  TESTIMONY. 149 

CHAPTER    XIV. 
AFTER  THE  EXAMINATION 161 

CHAPTER    XV. 
LEVI  EXPLORES  THE  CHIMNEY 172 

CHAPTER    XVI. 
ON  MIKE'S  POINT 183 

CHAPTER   XVII. 
THE  EVIL  MAN 104 


CONTENTS.  » 

CHAPTER    XVIII. 
THE  STARRY  FLAG  GOES  TO  SEA 205 

CHAPTER    XIX. 
DOCK  VINCENT'S  LETTER.         ......     216 

CHAPTER    XX. 
THE  CRUISE  OF  THE  STARRY  FLAG 228 

CHAPTER    XXI. 
THE  STARRY  FLAG  COMES  TO  ANCHOR.  .        .        .    239 

CHAPTER    XXII. 
HOMEWARD  BOUND. 251 

CHAPTER    XXIII. 
THE  NIGHT  AND  THE  GALE 263 

CHAPTER    XXIV. 
THE  RETURN  OF  THE  STARRY  FLAG 274 

CHAPTER    XXV. 
THE  RESULT  OF  THE  EXAMINATION 286 

CHAPTER    XXVI. 
CONCLUSION 300 


THE  STARRY  FLAG; 

OB, 

THE  YOUNG  FISHERMAN  OF  CAPE  ANN. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THB   DIN^GY   DORY. 


iTJT  I  must  have  one  more  bath  before  we  go 
father,"  said  Bessie  Watson,  as  she  gazed  down 
into  the  clear,  blue  waters  of  the  sea,  which  surged 
against  the  rocks  near  the  hotel  on  Cape  Ann,  where 
she  and  her  parents  had  been  spending  a  week. 

"  There  is  hardly  time,  Bessie,"  rep'J'«>'i  Mr.  Watson, 
as  he  consulted  his  watch. 

"What  time  is  it,  father?" 

"Quarter  past  eight." 

"There  is  time  enough  then." 

"I  don't  like  to  have  you  bathe  here,  Bessie.    It 


12  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

is  a  dangerous  place,  and  I'm  going  to  Rye  Beach 
almost  wholly  because  you  are  so  fond  of  the  salt 
water.  I  have  been  afraid,  every  time  you  went  in, 
that  you  would  slip  off  that  rock." 

"  There  is  no  danger." 

"I  think  there  is." 

"  The  rope  will  prevent  any  accident." 

"  The  rope  is  some  protection,  but  I  don't  think 
the  place  is  safe." 

"Just  one  more  plunge,  pa;  I  shall  feel  so  much 
better  for  the  journey!"  pleaded  Bessie,  whose  bright 
eyes  and  pretty  face  were  so  eloquent  that  the  indul 
gent  father  could  not  resist  them. 

Undoubtedly  Mr.  Watson  was  entirely  correct  in  his 
estimate  of  the  bathing  facilities  of  the  particular  point 
on  Cape  Ann  of  which  we  write.  The  hotel  was  lo 
cated  on  high  land,  Avhich  terminated  at  the  shore  in 
ragged  rocks  and  steep  precipices.  There  was  no  beach, 
not  even  a  patch  of  sand,  on  which  the  bather  could 
obtain  a  foothold.  A  sloping  rock,  which  afforded  not 
more  than  a  couple  of  square  rods  of  flat  surface,  had 
been  selected  for  bathing  purposes.  A  rope,  secured 
on  perpendicular  iron  bars  set  in  the  rock,  had  been 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  13 

stretched  around  it,  to  prevent  the  bathers  from  being 
earned  off  by  the  surf,  or  from  venturing  beyond  their 
depth. 

Mr.  Watson  was  a  wealthy  merchant  from  the  city, 
and  Bessie  was  his  only  child.  If  she  had  not  been 
spoiled  by  over-indulgence,  it  was  because  there  was  so 
little  waywardness  in  her  nature ;  because  she  was  too 
gentle  and  affectionate  to  take  advantage  of  the  weak 
ness  of  her  parents.  Bathing  in  itself  was  a  pleasant 
and  harmless  recreation ;  and,  as  it  was  the  principal 
element  of  sea-shore  life,  Bessie  thought  it  was  quite 
proper  that  she  should  indulge  in  a  plunge  on  the  pres 
ent  occasion.  There  was  no  possible  objection  except 
the  alleged  insecurity  of  the  place ;  and,  as  she  had 
bathed  there  a  half  a  dozen  times  before  without 
being  washed  off  the  rocks,  it  might  be  done  just 
once  more. 

Her  father  yielded  the  point;  and  it  was  a  happy 
reflection  for  him  that  this  was  the  last  time  he 
should  be  compelled  to  yield.  The  bathing  dressea 
were  sent  for,  and  father  and  daughter  made  haste 
to  improve  the  short  time  left  to  them  for  the  invig 
orating  recreation.  During  the  night  the  wind  had 
2 


14  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OB 

been  blowing  fresh  from  the  south-west,  which  in  this 
locality  always  produces  a  heavy  sea.  The  weather 
was  now  warm  and  pleasant,  with  a  light  breeze 
from  the  westward ;  but  the  waves,  from  the  effects 
of  the  night  wind,  were  still  strong  and  heavy. 

Bessie  rushed  into  the  water,  closely  followed  by 
her  father.  A  great  billow  immediately  "  tipped  her 
over;"  but  she  sprang  to  her  feet  again,  leaping  and 
shouting  with  childish  delight.  It  was  rare  sport  to 
her ;  and,  if  she  had  been  a  fish,  to  the  watery  "  manor 
born,"  she  could  not  have  enjoyed  it  more,  nor  have 
felt  more  perfectly  at  home.  Another  great  wave 
rolled  up,  and  again  she  was  lifted  from  her  feet  like 
a  piece  of  cork,  and  would  have  been  dashed  against 
the  bathing  hut,  if  she  had  not  grasped  the  rope. 

"  This  won't  do,  Bessie,"  said  Mr.  Watson,  shaking 
his  head. 

"  Why,  pa,  I  think  it's  delicious,"  replied  Bessie,  in 
a  silvery  scream. 

"  The  waves  are  a  great  deal  stronger  than  I  sup 
posed.  I  can  hardly  keep  my  feet." 

"  O,  do  keep  them,  pa !  You  will  want  them  when 
we  get  to  Rye,"  shouted  the  excited  little  miss. 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE   ANN.  15 

"  Come,  Bessie,  don't  stay  in  any  longer." 

"We  haven't  been  in  two  minutes.  Don't  go  out 
yet,  —  that's  a  dear  pa." 

"  I'm  afraid  the  sea  will  carry  you  off.  Be  a  good 
girl,  Bessie,  and  go  out  now." 

"  Just  a  minute  or  two  longer,  father.  I  will  keep 
hold  of  the  rope ;  I  won't  let  go ;  and  I  shall  be  just 
as  safe  here  as  I  should  be  in  the  house." 

"Be  very  careful  then,  for  you  have  no  idea  of 
the  strength  of  these  waves." 

"  There  isn't  a  bit  of  danger,  pa  —  not  a  bit,"  re 
plied  the  sylph,  as  she  extended  her  agile  form  upon 
the  water,  and  began  to  beat  the  blue  brine  with  her 
delicate  little  feet. 

But  the  water  was  not  quite  deep  enough  near 
the  cliff  for  certain  aquatic  feats,  suggested  to  her 
vivid  imagination  by  the  presence  of  the  rope,  and 
she  followed  the  line  out  to  the  part  which  ran  par 
allel  with  the  shore.  There  she  hung  under  the 
guard,  and  flapped  and  floundered,  and  kicked  and 
buffeted  the  great  waves,  screaming  all  the  time,  as 
young  ladies  always  do,  in  the  exuberance  of  her 
delight.  Her  father  attempted  to  assist  her  in  the 


16  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OR 

exhilarating  fun  of  the  occasion ;  but  he  was  so  anx 
ious  and  so  nervous  for  the  safety  of  the  sportive 
little  mermaid,  that  he  did  not  materially  increase 
the  merriment  of  the  moment,  though  his  presence 
was  always  a  joy  to  his  daughter. 

About  the  time  Bessie's  tiny  feet  touched  the  cool 
ing  waters,  a  dory,  loaded  to  the  rail,  and  heaped  up 
in  the  middle,  with  dog-fish,  rounded  the  rocky  point, 
a  few  rods  beyond  the  bathing-place.  This  boat  con 
tained  the  hero  of  our  story,  and  it  was  quite  proper 
that  it  should  round  the  point  at  this  particular  mo 
ment,  when  our  readers  are  reasonably  sure  that  Miss 
Bessie  will  unfortunately  lose  her  hold  of  the  guard 
rope,  and  be  carried  out  into  the  deep  water  by  a 
treacherous  retreating  wave. 

The  dory  which  contained  the  important  personage 
alluded  to,  whose  presence  suggests  heroic  deeds  and 
tender  words,  was  not  at  all  like  Cleopatra's  barge, 
and  was  utterly  unworthy  the  honor  of  receiving  on 
board  the  gentle  water-sprite  who  was  laving  her 
locks  in  the  brine  on  the  ledge.  The  dory  had  been 
pieced  and  patched  till  there  was  not  much  of  the 
original  fabric  left.  She  had  been  tinned  and  tin- 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE    ANN.  17 

kered,  tarred  and  pitched,  calked  and  puttied,  until 
she  would  condescend  to  remain  on  the  top  of  the 
water,  apparently  in  acknowledgment  of  the  perse 
verance  rather  than  the  skill  of  him  who  had  the 
audacity  to  attempt  to  make  such  a  craft  float.  But 
she  did  float,  and  bore  up  a  goodly  freight  of  staring 
dog-fish. 

Bent  on  a  rude  mast,  stepped  through  the  fore 
thwart  of  the  dory,  was  a  small  sprit-sail,  which,  like 
the  hull  beneath  it,  was  "  a  thing  of  shreds  and 
patches,"  and  which  was  even  a  better  exponent  of 
the  ingenuity  and  perseverance  of  him  who  spread  it 
to  the  breeze  of  that  soft  summer  morning.  Nearly 
amidships,  with  the  dog-fish  heaped  up  before  and 
behind  him,  sat  the  author  and  finisher  —  more  espe 
cially  the  finisher  —  of  the  dingy,  uncouth,  and  un 
graceful  craft  we  have  described.  With  both  hands 
he  held  a  worm-eaten  oar  firmly  against  the  side  of 
the  boat,  the  blade  projecting  down  into  the  water 
below  the  bottom  of  the  dory,  thus  serving  the 
double  purpose  of  keel  and  rudder. 

Levi  Fair-field  would  not  have  passed  muster  in 
the  drawing-room  of  wealth  and  fashion,  or  even  in 
2* 


18  THE    8TAEEY   FLAG,   OE 

the  humbler  parlor  of  the  Cape  Ann  nabob ;  but  he 
was  an  exceedingly  good  fellow  for  all  that,  and  fit 
to  be  the  hero  of  a  more  pretentious  story  than  the 
one  we  aspire  to  tell.  It  is  quite  true  that  his 
clothes  consisted  of  as  many  patches  as  his  sail,  and 
as  mighty  a  struggle  had  been  made  to  induce  them 
to  hold  together,  as  had  been  expended  on  the  boat 
itself;  and  they  were  daubed  from  head  to  foot  with 
dog-fish  slime,  to  say  nothing  of  numerous  dabs  of 
paint  and  pitch,  tar  and  grease.  But  underneath  this 
garb  of  unseemly  cut  and  doubtful  unity  were  iron 
muscles  and  a  heart  of  steel.  Inconsistent  as  it  was 
with  his  homely  dress,  and  inconsistent  as  it  may 
seem  to  present  a  youthful  hero  hi  the  first  chapter 
with  his  wealth  already  piled  up,  Levi  Fairfield's  for 
tune —  as  fortunes  were  measured  on  Cape  Ann  — 
was  made.  His  father  had  left  him  considerable 
property,  and  his  uncle,  whose  only  god  was  money, 
had  been  appointed  his  guardian. 

Levi  was  ambitious,  not  for  his  future  alone,  but 
for  the  present.  There  were  two  things  he  wanted, 
and  of  which  he  felt  himself  to  be  especially  in 
need  —  a  new  suit  of  clothes  and  a  new  boat;  and 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF   CAPE   ANN.  19 

he  wanted  the  boat  more  than  he  wanted  the  clothes, 
—  which  will  not  seem  very  strange  to  all  wide 
awake  boys,  fond  of  snuffing  salt-water  air,  and  sail 
ing  in  crack  boats. 

On  the  week  before  we  present  our  aquatic  her^ 
to  the  reader,  there  had  been  a  great  fair  held  in  a 
mammoth  tent  by  one  of  the  religious  societies  in 
the  place,  to  obtain  money  to  build  a  church.  A 
devout  and  devoted  brother  in  a  neighboring  town 
had  built  a  sail-boat,  a  handsome  and  substantial 
craft,  and  presented  it  to  the  church,  to  be  sold  for 
the  benefit  of  the  enterprise.  This  boat,  patriotically 
named  "  The  Starry  Flag,"  had  been  sent  round  to 
the  town,  and  moored  at  a  wharf  near  the  great  tent. 
It  had  been  used  to  carry  out  parties  from  the  fair, 
and  thus  contributed  something  to  the  object ;  but  it 
had  not  been  sold. 

"  The  Starry  Flag "  was  Levi's  ideal  of  a  good 
boat,  and  he  used  to  gaze  at  her  with  delighted  eyes 
from  his  dilapidated  dory.  He  longed  to  possess 
her ;  longed  to  own  her ;  to  go  a-fishing  and  sailing 
in  her.  Not  alone  as  a  pleasure  craft  did  he  covet 
her;  but  he  felt  that  he  could  make  her  pay.  What 


20  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

a  load  of  dog-fish  she  could  bring  in  !  What  a  party 
of  ladies  and  gentlemen  he  could  take  out  to  the 
fishing  grounds  in  her !  In  a  word,  she  would  be  a 
present  fortune  to  him. 

He  entertained  some  serious  thoughts  of  applying 
to  his  uncle  for  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  the 
sum  asked  for  "  The  Starry  Flag ; "  but  he  rejected 
the  idea  after  faithful  consideration,  for  he  knew  that 
it  would  be  easier  to  squeeze  a  quart  of  milk  out  of 
a  cubic  foot  of  Rockport  granite,  than  to  get  two 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  out  of  his  uncle  for  any 
purpose  whatever,  —  unless  it  was  to  pay  his  nephew's 
funeral  expenses.  Levi  wanted  that  boat,  and  he  con 
tinued  to  want  it  up  to  the  time  when  he  rounded 
the  point  beyond  the  bathing-place. 

We  assure  our  impatient  readers  who  have  con 
sented  to  follow  us  through  this  account  of  Levi 
Fail-field  and  his  antecedents,  that  Bessie  Watson  is 
not  yet  drowned,  and  hasn't  even  slipped  off  the  flat 
rock  into  the  deep  water.  We  regret  the  delay,  but 
it  would  be  absurd  to  have  a  young  lady  rescued 
from  a  watery  grave  without  knowing  anything  about 
the  person  who  is  to  achieve  the  heroic  deed.  In 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  21 

the  next,  if  not  in  the  present  generation,  when  a 
bold-hearted  young  fellow  is  to  rescue  a  helpless  dam 
sel  from  impending  fire  or  water,  it  will  be  absolutely 
necessary  to  introduce  him  before  he  plunges  in. 

After  leading  our  readers  to  anticipate  the  appall' 
ing  event  suggested  at  the  beginning  of  this  chapter, 
it  would  be  cruel  to  disappoint  them;  and,  with  no 
ill-will  against  poor  Bessie,  whom  we  both  admire 
and  love,  we  are  compelled  to  let  her  lose  her  hold 
upon  the  rope,  and  to  permit  the  ugly  wave,  with 
one  fell  swoop,  to  bear  her  far  out  beyond  the  reach 
of  her  agonized  father. 

"  See  me,  pa ! "  shouted  she,  as  she  sprang  out  of 
the  water  into  the  air,  just  as  the  "tenth  wave,"  the 
greatest  of  all,  swept  under  her.  "  Isn't  this  fun ! " 

She  descended  as  the  billow  rolled  back  whitened 
with  foam  from  the  rocks,  and  buried  herself  in  the 
milky  surge.  The  heavy  volume  of  water  rushed 
against  her,  wrenched  her  grasp  from  the  line,  and 
earned  her  shrieking  out  into  the  water. 


22  THE    STAERY   FLAG,   OB 


CHAPTER   II. 

TWO    HUNDRED    AND    FIFTY    DOLLARS. 

LEYI  F  AIRFIELD  was  fifteen  years  old  when 
his  dingy  dory  rounded  the  point  above  where 
Bessie  Watson  was  bathing.  His  father  had  been  a 
fisherman,  and  had  made  a  Cape  Ann  fortune  in  the 
fishing  business.  It  is  rather  beneath  the  dignity  of 
history,  and  even  of  the  higher  flights  of  story-telling, 
to  descend  to  particulars;  but  we  are  compelled,  in 
this  instance,  to  acknowledge  that  Captain  Fail-field's 
fortune  was  only  fifteen  thousand  dollars,  as  rated 
by  the  appraisers  after  his  decease ;  and  even  these 
figures  shrank  to  ten  thousand  when  the  smacks 
were  sold,  and  the  debts  due  his  estate  collected. 

This  was  Levi  Fairfield's  fortune,  and  there  was 
not  the  least  need  for  him  to  soil  his  trousers  with 
dabs  of  tar  and  rancid  grease.  When  Captain  Fair- 
field  was  dead,  as  Levi,  then  only  eight  years  old, 


TfiUE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE   ANN.  23 

bad  no  mother,  the  probate  court,  in  its  ineffable 
wisdom,  appointed  the  lad's  uncle  to  be  the  guardian 
of  his  person  and  his  property  —  to  feed,  clothe,  and 
educate  him  in  a  manner  conforming  to  his  worldly 
circumstances.  The  selection  would  have  been  a  very 
good  one,  if  Nathan  Fail-field,  the  captain's  brother, 
had  been  a  decent  man,  with  even  tolerably  enlarged 
ideas  of  the  duty  a  parent  or  guardian  owes  to  a 
child,  especially  when  the  child  has  money  to  pay  for 
all  he  needs  —  moral,  intellectual,  and  material. 

Uncle  Nathan  was  mean,  close,  parsimonious  —  he 
called  it  economical.  He  sent  the  boy  to  school  two 
months  in  the  winter,  and  worked  him  like  a  truck- 
horse  the  rest  of  the  time.  It  was  generally  believed 
that,  if  Levi  should  fall  overboard  and  be  drowned, 
or  tumble  off  a  cliff  and  break  his  neck,  his  guardian 
would  not  mourn  as  one  without  hope. 

When  Levi  attained  the  age  of  fourteen,  he  began 
to  have  some  decided  views  of  his  own.  He  liked 
to  work,  but  he  wanted  to  make  something  by  his 
labor.  He  felt  the  need  of  a  little  more  learning 
than  his  uncle's  stingy  policy  had  permitted  him  to 
obtain.  Having  a  will  of  his  own,  he  had  already 


24  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OB 

decided  to  purchase  a  fine  schooner,  and  go  into  the 
fishing  business  as  soon  as  the  law  would  allow  him 
to  handle  his  own  money.  He  was  a  boy  of  energy 
and  enterprise,  and  in  spite  of  his  uncle,  who  had  no 
claim  upon  his  time,  he  had  already  gone  to  work  on 
his  own  hook,  mainly  for  the  purpose  of  improving 
his  education.  Purchasing  the  wreck  of  an  old  dory 
with  money  earned  by  himself,  he  had  made  it  into 
the  craft  in  which  we  now  find  him. 

Levi  was  dissatisfied  with  his  position.  He  was 
worth  ten  thousand  dollars,  and  dressed  meaner  than 
the  sons  of  fishermen  and  stone-cutters.  He  had 
another  suit  of  clothes  at  home,  but  it  was  hardly 
better  than  that  he  wore ;  at  least,  it  was  none  too 
good  to  wear  every  day ;  but  uncle  Nathan  held  the 
purse-strings,  and  would  not  loosen  them  while  the 
rags  held  together.  There  was  a  very  wide  differ 
ence  of  opinion  between  them  on  this  subject,  as 
indeed  there  was  on  many  others,  so  that  their  rela 
tions  were  far  from  harmonious  and  agreeable. 

As  Levi  sat  in  the  dory,  proud  and  happy  in  the 
possession  of  so  many  dog-fish,  whose  unctuous  livers 
would  add  eight  or  ten  dollars  to  his  worldly  wealth, 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  2£ 

he  glanced  occasionally  at  the  beautiful  little  sylph 
who  was  beating  the  angry  waves  with  her  delicate 
limbs.  He  had  seen  Bessie  Watson  before,  and  it 
had  even  occurred  to  him  that  she  was  the  fairest 
young  lady  he  had  ever  beheld. 

"  Creation ! "  shouted  the  young  fisherman,  as  he 
saw  the  receding  wave  tear  her  from  the  rope,  and 
bear  her  far  out  from  her  father. 

"  Help  me !  O,  help  me ! "  cried  the  little  maiden, 
terribly  alarmed,  as  the  great  waves  lifted  her  on 
their  stormy  crests,  and  then  buried  her  beneath  the 
surges. 

Her  father  was  filled  with  agony.  He  was  no 
swimmer,  but  he  fearlessly  plunged  from  the  rope, 
and  attempted  to  reach  his  struggling  child.  He  was 
powerless  to  save  her,  for  he  could  not  even  save 
himself. 

Levi  Fairfield  let  out  the  sheet  of  his  ragged  sail, 
and  headed  the  dory,  which  was  jumping  Avildly  over 
the  waves,  towards  the  spot  where  Bessie  was  strug 
gling  for  life.  He  was  a  skilful  boatman,  and,  put 
ting  his  helm  down,  he  "  spilled "  the  sail,  and  came 
to  at  the  leeward  of  her.  Reaching  out,  he  grasped 
3 


*O  THE    STAKRY    FLAG,    Oil 

Bessie  by  the  arm,  and  attempted  to  pull  her  urce 
the  boat ;  but  the  dory  was  loaded  to  its  utmost 
capacity,  and  refused  to  be  further  imposed  upon, 
even  in  so  good  a  cause.  In  spite  of  Levi's  care 
and  skill,  the  dory  rolled  over,  and  emptied  a  large 
portion  of  the  dog-fish  into  the  sea.  But  the  intrepid 
youth  held  on  to  his  fair  burden,  and,  taking  to  the 
water  himself,  finally  succeeded  in  getting  her  into 
the  dory. 

By  this  time  the  young  fisherman  was  completely 
exhausted  by  his  exertions,  and  could  only  hold  on 
at  the  gunwale  of  the  water-logged  craft.  A  boat 
had  already  put  off  from  the  shore,  and  having  res 
cued  Mr.  Watson,  came  to  the  assistance  of  Levi. 

"  O  father !  father ! "  cried  Bessie,  as  she  sprang 
into  his  arms,  "I  am  safe." 

"  My  child ! "  exclaimed  the  father,  whose  eyes  were 
involuntarily  raised  to  heaven  as  he  clasped  her  to 
his  heart,  in  devout  thanksgiving  for  the  safety  of 
the  beloved  child. 

"I've  lost  nearly  all  my  dog-fish,"  said  Levi,  as  he 
climbed  over  the  stern  of  the  dory. 

The    boatman    who    had    picked    up  Mr.  Watson 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF   CAPE    ANN.  27 

pulled  to  the  shore  with  his  passengers,  paying  no 
attention  to  the  situation  of  the  young  fisherman. 
Levi  needed  no  assistance.  Hauling  up  his  sheet,  he 
filled  away  again,  and  soon  reached  the  shore.  The 
adventure,  however  romantic,  was  not  entirely  satis 
factory  to  the  fisherman,  for  he  had  lost  two  thirds- 
of  his  cargo,  and  neither  father  nor  daughter  had  yet 
even  thanked  him  for  his  services. 

It  is  of  no  use  to  cry  for  spilled  milk,  or  spilled 
dog-fish ;  therefore  Levi  did  not  cry.  He  threw  the 
remainder  of  his  fish  into  a  hollow  in  the  rocks,  and 
baled  out  the  dory,  intending  to  pull  out  and  save 
what  he  could  of  those  which  had  gone  overboard. 
"While  he  was  thus  occupied,  Mr.  Watson  and  Bessie, 
who  had  dried  and  dressed  themselves  in  the  bathing 
hut,  and  were  hardly  the  worse  for  the  catastrophe, 
approached  the  spot. 

"Young  man,  you  have  saved  my  daughter's  life, 
and  I  am  very  grateful  to  you,"  said  Mr.  Watson. 

"  O,  that's  nothing,  sir.  I  always  pick  up  anything 
I  find  adrift,"  replied  Levi,  with  a  broad  laugh. 

"  You  saved  me,  and  I  shall  remember  you  aa 
long  as  I  live,"  added  Bessie,  warmly. 


28  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

Both  father  and  daughter  expressed  their  admira 
tion  and  gratitude  for  the  prompt  and  skilful  manner 
in  which  he  had  rescued  the  little  maiden  from  the 
waves. 

"  Now,  Levi,  what  can  I  do  for  you  ?  I  owe  you 
more  than  I  can  ever  pay." 

"  I  don't  charge  anything,  sir,  for  what  I've  done. 
I  should  expect  to  be  picked  up  myself  if  I  broke 
adrift,  as  the  young  lady  did,  and  I'm  always  willing 
to  do  as  much  as  that  for  any  one,"  replied  Levi. 
"I'm  sure  I  would  like  to  save  a  nice  girl  like  her 
every  day  in  the  week." 

Levi  cast  a  timid  glance  of  admiration  at  Bessie, 
and  her  father  seemed  to  have  some  doubts  about 
offering  to  pay  one  with  so  much  pride  and  dignity 
for  what  he  had  done. 

"  I  shall  gratefully  remember  you  as  long  as  I 
live ;  but  I  wish  to  do  something  for  you  now," 
added  the  merchant. 

"  I  don't  ask  anything ;  but  if  you  have  a  mind 
to  pay  for  the  dog-fish  I  lost  overboard  in  the 
scrape,  I  will  call  it  square." 

"ITow  much  are  they  worth?"  laughed  Mr.  Watson. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  29 

"Well,  I  don't  know  —  five  or  six  dollars.  That 
will  make  me  whole,  and  I  don't  want  anything 
more." 

"I  will  certainly  do  that;  and  I  wish  to  do  much 
more.  Is  this  your  boat  ? "  asked  the  merchant, 
pointing  to  the  dingy  dory. 

"  Yes,  sir  ;    such  as  she  is,  she  is  mine." 

"  It  isn't  much  of  a  boat." 

"That's  a  fact.  But  she's  the  best  I  can  get.  I 
fixed  her  up,  so  she  answers  pretty  well." 

"Don't  you  want  a  better  boat?" 

"  I  expect  to  have  one  some  time." 

"Wouldn't  you  like  one  now?" 

"I  don't  know  but  I  would." 

"Do  you  know  of  a  good  one  about  here?" 

"  There  was  one  round  here  — '  The  Starry  Flag ; ' 
may  be  you  have  seen  her.  She's  a  nice  boat,  if 
you  want  one." 

"  Where  is  she  now  ?  " 

"  They  have  taken  her  round  to  Gloucester." 

"What  is  the  price  of  her?" 

"Two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars." 

"Do  you  know  where  to  find  her?" 
3* 


80  THE    STAKKY    FLAG,    OK 

"I  think  I  could  find  her." 

"You  shall  have  her,  Levi." 

"  I !  "  exclaimed  the  young  fisherman.  "  I  gave 
her  up  some  time  ago." 

"  I  will  make  you  a  present  of  her,"  added  Mr. 
Watson. 

"  Well,  no,  sir ;  I  don't  exactly  like  that  way  of 
doing  things,"  replied  Levi,  gazing  upon  the  rock  at 
his  feet,  sorely  tempted  by  the  offer,  yet  disliking  to 
be  paid  for  the  humane  act  he  had  done. 

"  You  need  a  better  boat,  Levi,  and  I  insist  upon 
your  having  The  Starry  Flag." 

"  I  don't  want  to  be  paid." 

"  I'm  not  going  to  pay  you,  my  boy :  I  couldn't 
do  that,  if  I  tried.  I  am  going  to  Rye  to-day,  but 
I  will  give  you  the  money  to  pay  for  the  boat,  and 
you  shall  go  to  Gloucester  for  her  yourself." 

"  I  want  the  boat  very  bad,  I  won't  deny ;  and  per* 
haps  I'll  borrow  the  money  of  you.  I'm  rich  myself, 
but  my  stingy  uncle  won't  give  me  a  red  cent." 

"  You  need  not  borrow  it,"  said  the  merchant, 
taking  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  from  his  pocket. 
"It  is  yours." 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE   ANN.  31 

"  On  the  whole,  I  guess  I  will  borrow  it,"  replied 
Levi,  taking  the  bills.  "I  don't  want  anything  for 
saving  your  daughter." 

"Let  him  borrow  it,  father,  ii  he  wants  to,"  inter 
posed  Bessie,  who  was  delighted  with  Levi's  honesty 
and  delicacy. 

Mr.  Watson  yielded  the  point,  though  it  is  not  at 
all  likely  that  he  intended  the  money  should  ever  be 
returned  to  him. 

"And  here  is  ten  dollars  for  the  fish  you  lost," 
added  the  merchant,  handing  him  another  bill. 

"It's  only  six  dollars  at  the  most,  and  I  canvt 
change  this,"  replied  Levi. 

"  Never  mind  ;    take  the  whole  of  it." 

"  There  comes  the  stage,  father  ;  we  must  hurry 
up  to  the  house,"  said  Bessie. 

"Good  by,  Levi,"  added  Mr.  Watson.  "I  shall 
never  forget  you,  and  I  mean  to  do  something  more 
for  you." 

"  Stop  a  minute ;  I  want  to  give  you  my  note  for 
this  money,  and  get  your  change." 

"I  can't  stop  now,"  laughed  the  rich  merchant 
*  Come,  Bessie." 


32  THE    STARRY    FLA«,    OR 

"  Good  by,  Levi,"  said  the  water  sprite,  giving  him 
her  little  hand.  "  I  shall  always  remember  you  and 
pray  for  you." 

"  Thank  you,  miss ;  it's  not  every  fellow  that  gets 
a  chance  to  pick  up  a  lady  like  you  in  the  water. 
Good  by." 

She  bounded  after  her  father,  leaving  Levi  with 
two  hundred  and  sixty  dollars  in  his  hand.  He  was 
astonished  and  delighted  at  the  result  of  the  ad 
venture. 

"  The  Starry  Flag  is  mine  as  sure  as  I'm  alive ! " 
exclaimed  he,  as  Mr.  Watson  and  Bessie  disappeared 
beyond  the 


THE    YOUNG    FISHEllMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  33 


CHAPTER  III. 

DOCK  VINCENT. 

TWO  hundred  and  fifty  dollars ! "  exclaimed  Levi 
Fairfield,  as  he  looked  at  the  bills  in  his  hand. 
"  I  wouldn't  have  believed  it ;  but  it's  a  fact.  I 
rather  think  uncle  Nathan's  eyes  would  stick  out 
some,  if  he  saw  these  big  figures.  But  they  are  not 
for  him  to  see ;  he'd  take  the  money  away  from  me, 
and  make  me  dress  in  rags,  as  he  always  has." 

Levi  rolled  up  the  bills,  and  placed  them  in  a 
dilapidated  wallet  he  carried  in  his  pocket.  The 
bright  vision  of  "  The  Starry  Flag "  was  actually 
realized ;  or  it  would  be,  if  his  miserly  uncle  did  not 
get  the  money  away  from  him.  With  the  new  boat 
he  could  make  money  enough  to  procure  all  the 
clothes  he  needed,  and  to  buy  a  whole  library  of 
books.  He  intended  to  go  to  school  for  six  months, 
as  soon  as  the  boating  season  was  over,  whether  his 


34  THE    STABKY   FLAG,   OB 

uncle  was  willing  or  not.  He  was  fond  of  reading, 
and  so  far  as  his  time  and  means  would  permit,  he 
indulged  the  taste. 

It  was  necessary  that  he  should  conceal  the  two 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  from  his  uncle,  until  the 
new  boat  had  been  purchased.  He  had  taken  it  as 
a  loan  from  Mr.  Watson,  and  he  intended  to  pay  it 
when  he  came  into  possession  of  his  property.  He 
chose  to  take  this  view  of  his  acceptance  of  the 
money,  for  it  was  pleasanter  than  the  idea  of  being 
paid  for  doing  a  deed  of  kindness.  He  wished  to 
go  immediately  to  Gloucester,  and  buy  the  boat ; 
but  he  could  not  go  in  the  ragged  and  filthy  gar 
ments  he  wore,  now  drenched  with  water,  and  it 
would  excite  the  curiosity  of  his  uncle  and  aunt  if 
he  went  home  and  changed  them.  He  hoped  that  at 
dinner  time  he  should  be  able  to  effect  his  purpose. 

As  there  was  nothing  to  be  done  about  the  busi 
ness  at  present,  he  sat  down  in  the  sun,  which  was 
rapidly  drying  his  wet  clothes,  and  proceeded  to 
extract  the  livers  from  the  dog-fish.  He  had  been 
unusually  fortunate  this  morning.  It  was  his  third 
trip  of  the  season,  and  he  was  satisfied,  before  h« 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  35 

lost  any  of  his  fish,  that  the  cargo  would  yield  him 
about  ten  dollars'  worth  of  livers,  which  were  then 
selling  at  a  dollar  and  a  half  a  bucket.  With  the 
ten  dollars  Mr.  Watson  had  given  him,  the  proceeds 
of  the  trip  would  amount  to  at  least  thirteen  dollars, 
which,  with  what  he  had  before,  increased  his  funds 
to  twenty-one  dollars. 

Levi  felt  like  a  rich  man,  independent  of  the  two 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  which  he  regarded  as  a 
loan ;  and  he  was  determined,  when  he  went  to 
Gloucester  for  The  Starry  •  Flag,  to  buy  a  suit  of 
clothes.  He  had  enough  to  think  of,  therefore,  and 
was  so  busy  that  he  did  not  notice  the  approach  of 
a  man,  who  was  descending  the  rocks  to  the  place 
where  he  sat. 

"  Well,  Levi,  you  lost  most  of  your  dog-fish  in 
that  scrape,"  said  Dock  Vincent,  the  person  who  had 
gone  out  in  the  boat  after  Mr.  Watson  and  his 
daughter,  when  he  reached  the  place  where  the 
young  fisherman  was  at  work. 

"  I  lost  a  good  many  of  them,"  replied  Levi,  rather 
coldly,  for  Dock  Vincent  was  not  a  person  whom  he 
regarded  with  much  favor. 


36  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"What  did  he  give  you?" 

"  He  did  the  handsome  thing  by  me." 

"  Did  he  !  "  sneered  Dock.  "  He  is  the  meanest 
man  this  side  of  Cape  Horn." 

"  I  don't  think  so,"  added  Levi,  decidedly. 

"  What  do  you  think  he  gave  me  for  saving  his 
life  ?  "  demanded  Dock. 

"  I  don't  know.  I  didn't  ask  anything  for  what  I 
did.  Besides,  he  had  got  hold  of  the  rope  before 
you  reached  him." 

"  I  don't  care  if  he  had ;  I  like  to  see  a  man  who 
has  plenty  of  money,  as  he  has,  show  something  like 
gratitude  when  a  fellow  does  him  a  good  turn." 

"Didn't  he  thank  you?" 

"  Thank  me  ?  O,  yes.  He  talked  well  enough  — 
he  and  his  daughter  both ;  but  I  wish  I  had  left 
him  where  I  found  him." 

"  He  wouldn't  have  been  drowned  if  you  had." 

"  I  don't  know  about  that,"  said  Dock,  shaking 
his  head. 

"Didn't  he  give  you  anything?"  asked  Levi,  who 
was  much  surprised  to  hear  Mr.  Watson  charged 
with  meanness. 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF   CAPE   ANN.  37 

"  Yes,  he  gave  me  something,"  answered  Dock, 
with  a  shrug  of  the  shoulders.  "  He  gave  me  a 
hundred-dollar  bill." 

"Well,  I  think  that's  a  pretty  good  day's  work 
for  you." 

"  He  ought  to  have  given  me  a  thousand ;  and  if 
he  had  given  me  five  thousand  it  wouldn't  have 
hurt  him." 

"I  think  a  hundred  was  very  handsome.  You 
only  pulled  out  a  few  rods  from  the  shore,  and  were 
not  gone  fifteen  minutes." 

"  That's  nothing  to  do  with  it ;  he  was  mean,  and 
he  shall  pay  for  it  yet.  I'll  make  it  cost  him  twenty 
thousand  dollars." 

"What  do  you  mean,  Dock?"  exclaimed  Levi, 
suspending  his  work,  and  looking  up  into  the  sinister 
face  of  his  companion. 

"  I  mean  something,  Levi,"  replied  Dock,  with  a 
mysterious  look.  "  What  did  he  give  you  ?  " 

"  He  paid  me  ten  dollars  for  the  dog-fish  I  lost," 
answered  the  young  fisherman,  evasively. 

"Ten  dollars!  Why,  you  saved  the  girl's  life,  if 
I  didn't  her  father's.  She  would  have  gone  down, 
4 


88  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

as  gure  as  the  world,  before  I  could  have  reached 
her.  Ten  dollars !  That  was  meaner  than  dirt." 

"  Well,  he  did  the  handsome  thing  by  me,"  added 
Levi,  unwilling  that  Mr.  Watson  should  suffer  even 
for  a  single  day  in  the  estimation  of  his  companion, 
though  it  was  not  prudent  for  him  to  say  that  he 
was  the  happy  possessor  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars  until  the  boat  had  been  purchased.  "  I'll  tell 
you  to-morrow  just  what  he  did." 

"  Did  he  give  you  a  thousand  dollars,  Levi  ? " 

"  No,  he  did  not,  nor  anything  like  it." 

"  Then  he  was  mean.  Levi,  if  you  want  to  make 
a  heap  of  money,  I  will  put  you  in  the  way  of  doing 
it,"  said  Dock,  in  a  low  tone. 

«  How  ?  " 

"Will  you  keep  still  about  it?" 

"  I  don't  know  whether  I  will  or  not.  On  the 
whole,  I  guess  I  won't  have  anything  to  do  with  it," 
answered  Levi,  who  was  quite  sure  that  any  of 
Dock's  schemes  for  making  "  a  heap  of  money " 
could  not  be  very  honest. 

"  If  a  hundred  dollars  was  enough  for  me,  he  ought 
to  have  given  you  a  thousand." 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF   CAPE    ANN. 

"I  don't  think  so." 

"  I  do,  and  everybody  will  say  so.  Don't  you 
want  to  go  round  to  Gloucester  with  me  after  din 
ner?"  continued  Dock,  in  the  most  insinuating  of 
tones.  "  I'm  going  round  in  my  schooner,  and  we 
can  talk  over  this  matter  on  the  way." 

"What  matter?" 

"  About  the  money." 

"  I  don't  want  to  talk  about  it ;  I  am  satisfied 
now ;  and  if  you  want  to  ask  Mr.  Watson  for  any 
more  money,  you  must  do  it  without  me." 

"  You  don't  understand  me,  Levi." 

"  I  don't  want  to  understand  you,  if  you  are  going 
to  do  any  such  dirty  work  as  that.  I  felt  mean  to 
take  anything ;  and  I  would  cut  my  right  hand  off 
before  I  would  ask  for  more." 

"Will  you  go  round  with  me,  Levi?" 

The  young  fisherman  wanted  to  go  to  Gloucester, 
but  he  did  not  wish  to  have  anything  to  do  with 
Dock  Vincent,  who  was  a  reckless,  dissipated,  and 
dishonest  man.  He  was  the  owner  of  a  schooner  of 
seventy  tons,  in  which  he  carried  freights  from  Rock- 
port  and  Gloucester  to  Boston.  It  was  plain  that 


40  THE    STAKRT    FLAG,    OB 

Dock  —  his  full  name  was  Waldock  Vincent  —  had 
a  purpose  in  his  mind,  in  whose  execution  he  was 
anxious  to  have  Levi  join  him,  and  which  he  wished 
to  discuss  with  him  on  the  passage  to  the  neighbor 
ing  port. 

The  young  fisherman  had  no  suspicion  that  his 
purpose  was  anything  worse  than  to  ask  Mr.  Watson 
for  one  or  two  thousand  dollars  as  a  reward  for  their 
services  in  rescuing  the  father  and  daughter.  Dock 
kept  his  own  counsel,  and  did  not  hint  at  his  real 
intentions,  not  doubting  that  one  who  had  been  so 
well  abused  by  his  uncle  was  ripe  for  any  scheme, 
even  if  it  involved  some  risk.  What  Levi  regarded 
as  Dock's  intention  was  bad  enough,  and  the  brave 
boy  —  morally  brave  now  —  finally  refused  even  to 
visit  Gloucester  with  the  dangerous  man. 

"  I'm  going  to  ask  him  to  do  what  is  right,"  added 
Dock. 

"  Ask  him  for  yourself,  then,  not  for  me.  To-mor> 
row,  if  I  see  you,  I  will  tell  you  what  he  gave  me." 

"  Well,  I  want  to  see  you  to-morrow  about  this 
matter.  I  think  you'll  come  to  it,  after  you  have 
thought  it  over." 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF   CAPE    ANN.  41 

"No,  I  shall  not." 

Dock  went  off  at  last,  satisfied  that  nothing  could 
be  done  with  Levi  at  present. 

"  Ask  him  for  more  money !  Humph !  I  wouldn't 
do  it  if  I  was  sure  he  would  give  me  a  million 
dollars,"  said  Levi  to  himself.  "  I  should  as  soon 
think  of  asking  uncle  Nathan  for  a  thousand  dol 
lars  as  Mr.  Watson  for  another  hundred.  I'm  rich 
now." 

Levi  finished  his  work,  and  carried  the  livers  he 
had  obtained  to  a  man  in  the  vicinity  who  bought 
them,  and  having  received  the  money  for  them,  he 
went  home  to  dinner.  The  house  of  Nathan  Fail-field 
was  a  type  of  the  man.  It  was  an  unpainted,  dingy, 
dilapidated  building,  with  tumble-down  sheds  and 
broken  fences.  Within  it  was  cheerless  and  uncom 
fortable.  The  owner  never  spent  a  dollar  when  by 
any  expedient  it  could  be  saved.  His  wife  was  sharp 
and  close,  like  himself.  They  were  well  mated,  and 
either  of  them  would  grumble  all  day  over  the  loss 
or  the  misuse  of  a  three-cent  piece. 

The  intelligence  of  the  exciting  event  off  the  cliff 
had  been  thoroughly  circulated  in  the  neighborhood, 
4* 


42  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OB 

and  Levi's  uncle  and  aunt  were  already  informed  that 
he  had  saved  the  life  of  Bessie  Watson.  Dock  Vin 
cent,  for  his  own  purposes,  had  declared  that  Levi 
had  received  only  ten  dollars  for  his  services;  but 
even  this  sum  was  enough  to  excite  the  cupidity  of 
his  uncle.  His  guardian  questioned  him  in  regard  to 
the  affair,  and  Levi  gave  a  truthful  account  of  the 
rescue  of  the  father  and  daughter. 

"  How  much  did  he  give  you  ?  "  asked  his  uncle. 

"  He  gave  me  ten  dollars  for  the  fish  I  lost,"  re 
plied  Levi,  still  deeming  the  larger  sum  a  loan. 

"You've  been  selling  livers  too  —  haven't  you?" 

"Yes,  sir  — I  have." 

"How  many  have  you  sold?" 

"All  I  could  get,"  replied  Levi,  who  was  not  dis 
posed  to  talk  very  freely  on  this  subject. 

"  Answer  me  !  "  said  uncle  Nathan  sternly.  "  How 
much  money  have  you  got  now  ? " 

"  Twenty-one  dollars,"  replied  Levi,  desperately. 

"  Twenty-one  dollars ! "  exclaimed  the  miser,  open 
ing  his  eyes  with  astonishment.  "  That's  a  great 
deal  of  money  for  a  boy  to  have.  I  think  you  had 
better  give  it  to  me." 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE   ANN.  43 

"I  don't  think  I  had.  I  want  it  to  buy  some 
clothes,"  said  Levi,  firmly. 

"  You  don't  need  any  clothes.  I  want  you  to  give 
me  that  money." 

"  I  don't  want  to  give  it  to  you ;  I  want  it  myself." 

"  Levi,  I'm  your  guardeen,  and  you  must  give  me 
that  money." 

"  No,  sir,  I  shall  not,  guardeen  or  no  guardeen." 

"  Accordin  to  law,  that  money  belongs  to  me  to 
take  care  on,"  said  uncle  Nathan,  angrily. 

"  You  take  too  good  care  of  it  for  me.  You  are 
my  guardian,  but  you  keep  me  short,  and  make  me 
go  ragged.  I  earned  this  money  myself,  and  I'm 
going  to  get  some  clothes  with  it." 

"  No,  you  are  not.  I'm  not  goin  to  let  you  have 
twenty-one  dollars  to  fool  away.  Give  it  to  me,  this 
minute." 

"  I'm  willing  to  do  anything  that's  right,"  replied 
Levi,  warmly,  "but  when  you  get  this  money,  the 
chickens  will  all  be  old  hens." 

"  Will  you  give  it  to  me,  or  shall  I  take  it  from 
you  ? "  demanded  the  uncle,  fiercely,  as  he  stepped 
towards  the  boy. 


44  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"Neither,"  answered  Levi,  retreating  to  the  win 
dow. 

"  You  young  villain,  I'll  teach  you  what  a  guar- 
deen  is." 

Uncle  Nathan,  roused  to  the  highest  pitch  of  anger, 
rushed  forward,  and  seized  Levi  by  the  collar. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  45 


CHAPTER   IV. 

A    PITCHED    BATTLE. 

LEVI  was  alarmed  for  the  two  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars  in  his  pocket.  He  knew  that  if  his 
uncle  once  got  his  hand  upon  the  money,  it  would 
be  as  impossible  to  remove  it  as  it  would  be  to  roll 
back  the  tide  of  the  sea.  Besides,  uncle  Nathan  had 
a  talent  for  getting  his  hands  into  other  people's 
pockets,  at  least  in  a  figurative  sense ;  and  in  the 
present  instance  the  act  threatened  to  be  altogether 
too  literal  for  the  safety  of  Levi's  high-wrought  vis 
ions  of  owning  and  sailing  The  Starry  Flag.  He 
was  quite  willing  to  concede  his  uncle's  legal  right 
to  the  care  of  all  his  money ;  but  there  was  some 
thing  wrong,  and,  being  no  lawyer,  he  couldn't  tell 
exactly  what  it  was. 

Uncle   Nathan   was  so   mean   and   stingy  that  he 
was  hated   and    despised    by  all    his  neighbors   and 


46  THE    STAERY   FLAG,   OB 

acquaintances  ;  and  there  were  plenty  of  people  to 
say  that  it  was  a  shame  for  a  boy  to  be  brought  up 
as  his  nephew  was.  The  boy  was  deprived  of  propei 
food,  clothing,  and  education.  His  home  was  the 
most  disagreeable  place  he  visited  within  the  twenty- 
four  hours  of  a  day ;  and  Levi,  looking  at  the  pleas 
ant  dwellings,  the  happy  homes,  of  other  people,  could 
not  help  feeling  that  his  lot  was  hard,  and  that  the 
sons  of  even  the  common  laborers  were  better  off 
than  he  was. 

Smarting  under  the  general  sense  of  wrong,  Levi 
felt  that  it  was  his  duty  to  do  something  to  better 
his  condition.  Boldly  and  bravely  he  was  doing  it. 
He  was  working  like  a  common  laborer  for  the  com 
forts  of  life,  which  his  uncle  meanly  denied  him. 
And  now,  to  have  the  fruits  of  his  toil  wrested  from 
him  by  the  same  hard  hand  which  had  all  along 
robbed  him  of  suitable  food  and  raiment  —  for  which 
his  father's  estate  was  charged  —  was  intolerable  to 
him.  It  was  worth  a  hard  fight,  in  his  estimation,  to 
save  even  the  twenty-one  dollars,  and  much  more  to 
save  the  two  hundred  and  fifty,  with  which  he  was 
to  purchase  The  Starry  Flag. 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE   AXN.  47 

He  was  roused  to  the  highest  pitch  of  anger  and 
resentment.  It  was  bad  enough  to  eat  such  a  dinner 
as  that  set  before  him,  and  to  dress  in  rags ;  but  to 
have*  his  own  money,  that  for  which  he  had  worked 
hard,  taken  from  him,  roused  his  indignation  to  such 
a  degree  that  he  was  ready  to  be  torn  in  pieces 
rather  than  yield.  It  might  be  law  for  his  uncle  to 
take  his  money,  but  under  the  circumstances  he  felt 
that  it  would  not  be  justice. 

"  Give  me  that  money ! "  said  uncle  Nathan,  sav 
agely,  as  he  tightened  his  grasp  upon  Levi's  collar. 

"  Le'  me  alone,"  cried  Levi,  struggling  to  es 
cape. 

"  I'll  let  you  alone  when  you  give  me  the  money." 

"  I  won't  give  you  the  money !  I'll  die  first ! " 
replied  Levi,  giving  a  desperate  spring  towards  the 
middle  of  the  room. 

Uncle  Nathan  was  a  powerful  man,  and  when 
there  was  any  money  concerned  he  always  held  on 
tight.  Holding  the  young  man  by  the  collar,  lie 
attempted  to  thrust  his  hand  into  the  pocket  wherein 
had  been  deposited  the  dilapidated  wallet. 

*'  Le'  me  be ! "  shouted  Levi. 


48  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"  My  sakes  !  "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Fail-field  ;  "  the  boy's 
getting  worse  every  year." 

Levi  doubled  himself  up  in  such  a  way  as  to  pre 
vent  his  uncle  from  reaching  his  pocket. 

"  Here,  wife,  you  hold  his  hands,"  said  the  guar 
dian,  puffing  under  the  violence  of  his  exertions. 

"  Sakes  alive !  I  dassn't  tech  him,"  replied  the 
matron,  timidly  approaching  the  combatants. 

"  Go  behind  him,  and  get  hold  of  his  arms,"  added 
uncle  Nathan. 

To  avoid  being  flanked  in  this  manner,  Levi  backed 
up  towards  the  table.  Uncle  Nathan  attempted  to 
pull  him  away,  so  as  to  afford  his  timid  but  willing 
ally  a  chance  to  assist  him.  The  boy  felt  that  the 
battle  was  going  against  him,  and  it  was  necessary 
for  him  to  make  a  final  onslaught.  He  kicked,  strugN 
gled,  and  twisted.  He  jumped  up,  lay  down,  and  in 
some  measure  exhausted  his  persecutor,  who  had 
relaxed  his  exertions,  though  he  still  held  on  like  a 
bull-dog.  Levi  was  young  and  active,  and  though 
his  breath  was  neai'ly  gone,  he  declined  to  suspend 
the  struggle. 

The  resolute  youth  had  been  backed  up  against  the 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF    CAPE    ANN.  49 

table  again,  where  his  exhausted  oppressor  wished 
to  hold  him  for  a  moment,  while  he  recovered  his 
breath.  As  this  seemed  to  be  the  moment  for  final 
action,  Levi  renewed  his  efforts  with  redoubled  energy. 
His  back  was  against  the  table,  and  in  his  desperate 
effort  to  release  himself,  he  had  doubled  himself  up 
under  the  extended  leaf.  Like  everything  else  in 
the  mansion  of  Nathan  Fair-field,  this  piece  of  furni 
ture  was  a  worn-out  and  rickety  concern ;  and  as 
Levi  sprang  up,  he  carried  the  leaf  up  with  him, 
upsetting  the  table,  and  causing  all  the  dishes  to 
slide  off  upon  the  floor. 

A  general  crash  ensued ;  ruin  and  destruction 
among  the  dishes  followed,  which  so  astonished  and 
confounded  uncle  Nathan,  that  he  loosed  his  hold 
upon  the  little  monster,  and  gazed  with  horror  upon 
the  wreck,  from  which  Levi  extricated  himself  with 
all  possible  haste.  Mrs.  Fairfield  held  up  both  of 
her  bony  hands  in  grief  and  terror,  as  she  gazed 
upon  the  broken  plates  and  bowls.  The  dishes  were 
old  and  black,  were  "  nicked "  and  cracked  in  every 
direction.  They  were  of  different  colors,  sizes,  and 
shapes;  but  they  were  property,  and  such  a  terrible 
5 


50  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OB 

devastation  filled  the  miser  and  his  wife  with  con 
sternation  and  sorrow.  They  gazed  upon  the  wreck 
in  real  anguish,  as  though  a  dear  friend  had  been 
struck  dead  before  their  eyes. 

"  There !  see  what  you've  done ! "  gasped  uncle 
Nathan,  when  his  horror  and  his  want  of  breath 
would  permit  him  to  speak. 

"  I  didn't  do  it ;  you  did  it  yourself,"  replied  Levi, 
retreating  towards  the  back  door,  so  as  not  to  be 
flanked  again. 

"  You  didn't  do  it,  you  whelp  ! "  said  the  guardian, 
angrily,  as  he  stepped  towards  the  panting  youth. 

"  No,  I  didn't ;   you  did  it  yourself." 

"You  must  be  taken  care  of,  Levi." 

"  I'd  like  to  be  taken  care  of  better  than  I  ever 
Was  yet ;  but  as  you  won't  take  care  of  me,  I'm 
going  to  take  care  of  myself." 

"  Now,  Lcvi,  give  me  that  money,"  added  uncle 
Nathan,  —  and  he  looked  as  though  he  intended  to 
renew  the  battle,  — "  and  some  of  it  shall  go  to  pay 
for  the  mischief  you've  done  here ; "  and  again  he 
glanced  sadly  at  the  broken  crockery  ware  which 
Mrs.  Fairfield  was  gathering  up. 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF   CAPE   ANN.  51 

"I'll  pay  for  it,  if  you'll  let  me  alone,"  answered 
Levi,  retreating  towards  the  door. 

"  I'll  let  you  alone  when  you  give  me  that  money ! 
Do  you  think  I'm  going  to  let  a  boy  like  you  fool 
away  twenty-one  dollars?" 

"  I'm  going  to  fool  it  away  in  buying  some  clothes 
that  I  need." 

"No,  you  ain't,"  replied  the  miser,  testily.  "I'll 
have  that  money,  if  I  have  to  take  it  out  of  your 
hide." 

"  See  here,  uncle  Nathan,"  continued  Levi,  in  a 
conciliatory  tone,  —  for  such  a  quarrel  was  intensely 
disagreeable  to  him,  —  "  I'm  willing  to  do  what's  fair 
and  right.  I'll  give  you  the  money,  if  you'll  agree 
to  give  me  some  decent  clothes,  and  let  me  go  to 
school." 

"  I  won't  agree  to  nothin'  of  the  sort.  The  money 
belongs  to  me  to  take  care  on  ;  and  if  you  don't 
give  it  to  me,  I'll  send  a  constable  after  you." 

"  Send  him  along,"  replied  Levi,  defiantly,  as  he 
left  the  house. 

"  I  don't  know  what  we're  comin'  to ! "  exclaimed 
Mrs.  Fail-field.  "That  boy '11  be  the  death  on  us." 


52  THE    STAKKY    FLAG,    OR 

"  He  shall  give  me  that  money,"  replied  uncle  Na, 
than,  shaking  his  head. 

"  You  must  be  a  little  kinder  easy  with  him ;  then 
he'll  give  it  to  you.  Why  didn't  you  wait  till  he'd 
gone  to  bed,  and  then  take  it  out  of  his  pocket?" 

"  He  shall  give  it  to  me.  It's  high  time  sunthin 
was  done  when  a  boy  like  him  is  goin  about  town 
with  twenty-one  dollars  in  his  pocket." 

"  Wait  till  he  goes  to  bed,  and  then  you  can 
git  it." 

"  He'll  spend  it  before  that  time.  The  boy  has  no 
more  idee  of  the  vally  of  money  than  he  has  of  the 
man  in  the  moon.  He  must  be  looked  after.  The 
next  thing  we  shall  know,  he'll  be  drinkin  rum,  and 
gamblin ;  and  then  folks  will  say  I  didn't  take  good 
care  on  him." 

"  So  they  will,"  replied  the  sympathizing  helpmate. 
"  You  must  git  that  money  by  hook  or  by  crook. 
It'll  spile  the  boy,  as  sure  as  Goodness  gra 
cious  !  if  there  ain't  Ruel ! " 

The  last  remark  was  called  forth  by  the  appear 
ance  of  an  elderly  man,  who  had  entered  the  back 
door  without  the  preliminary  of  knocking.  Ruel 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE   ANN.  53 

Belcher  was  Mrs.  Fail-field's  brother.  He  was  dressed 
in  his  Sunday  clothes,  and  apparently  he  had  come 
to  pay  his  sister  a  visit.  She  and  her  husband  shook 
hands  with  him,  and  wanted  to  know  what  the  news 
was  "over  to  Salem."  Ruel  told  the  news,  and 
imparted  the  gratifying  information  that  his  wife  and 
children  were  in  good  health,  which  uncle  Nathan 
and  his  wife  were  glad  to  "hear  on." 

"Go'n  to  stop  long  with  us?"  asked  Nathan,  who 
had  already  begun  to  think  whether  or  not  he 
should  be  obliged  to  purchase  a  beefsteak  from  the 
under  side  of  the  round  —  a  luxury  he  was  compelled 
to  have  when  company  came. 

"  No,  I'm  going  back  to-night,  if  I  can  get  through 
my  business,"  replied  Ruel. 

"  Law  sake !  you  never  stop  none,"  said  Mrs.  Fair' 
field. 

Mr.  Fail-field  was  glad  he  did  not  —  beef  was  high. 

"I  just  run  down  to  collect  some  money  Dock 
Vincent  owes  me,"  added  Ruel  Belcher. 

"How  much  does  he  owe  you?"  asked  uncle  Na 
than,  curiously. 

"  Two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  I  was  told,  if  I 
5* 


64  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OR 

came  down  now,  I  might  get  it;  and  I'm  going  to 
do  it,  if  I  have  to  jug  him." 

"  Dock  is  a  pretty  hard  man  to  git  money  out  of," 
said  Mr.  Fairfield. 

"Where's  your  boy?  —  Levi,  I  mean." 

"  He's  just  gone  out." 

Ruel  wanted  to  see  him  about  Dock  Vincent,  and 
it  came  out,  to  the  visitor's  great  astonishment,  that 
Levi  was  a  very  bad  boy ;  that  he  had  actually 
earned  twenty-one  dollars,  and  refused  to  give  it  to 
his  honored  guardian.  To  the  surprise,  not  to  say 
horror,  of  the  "guardeen"  and  his  wife,  Ruel,  after 
he  had  heard  the  whole  story,  rather  sided  with 
Levi.  He  wanted  to  see  the  boy,  and  volunteered 
to  "talk"  with  him. 

There  was  nothing  in  the  house  fit  for  a  guest  to 
eat,  and  dinner  was  delayed.  While  Ruel  went  to 
look  for  Levi,  uncle  Nathan,  sorely  exercised  by  the 
bitter  necessity,  started  for  the  provision  store  in  the 
village  to  procure  a  slice  of  beefsteak  from  the  under 
side  of  the  round. 

As  Levi  walked  away  from  the  house,  he  felt  that 
the  two  hundred  and  seventy-one  dollars  in  his 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  55 

pocket  was  not  safe  upon  his  person.  He  anticipated 
the  very  action  which  Mrs.  Fairfield  had  suggested ; 
therefore  he  went  down  to  the  rocky  cove  where  he 
kept  his  dory,  and  concealed  it  with  great  care  in 
the  crevice  of  a  rock,  upon  which  he  heaped  a  pile 
of  stones. 

Before  he  had  fully  completed  the  work,  Ruel 
Belcher  joined  him,  shook  hands  with  him,  and 
treated  him  very  kindly. 

"I  hear  you  have  twenty-one  dollars,  Levi,"  said 
Ruel,  laughing. 

"  I  have,  and  I  mean  to  keep  it  —  at  least  till  I  can 
buy  some  clothes  and  things  I  want,"  replied  Levi. 

Ruel  did  not  blame  him;  he  gave  him  some  good 
advice,  and  even  volunteered  to  "  talk "  with  the  old 
man,  arid  induce  him  to  do  better  by  his  nephew. 

"Now,  I  want  to  find  Dock  Vincent,  Levi,"  said 
Ruel. 

"  He's  going  to  Gloucester  this  afternoon  in  his 
schooner  —  there  she  lays,"  replied  Levi,  pointing  ta 
the  vessel. 

"  He  owes  me  some  money,  and  I'm  going  to  get 
it  to-day." 


56  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"  He  can  pay  you,  I  guess ;  he  made  a  hundred 
dollars  this  morning." 

"I'm  glad  to  hear  that." 

"How  much  does  he  owe  you?"  asked  Levi. 

"Two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars." 

The  young  fisherman  glanced  at  the  heap  of  stones 
under  which  the  price  of  The  Starry  Flag  was  con 
cealed,  and  perhaps  thought  it  a  little  odd  that  Dock 
owed  Ruel  just  that  sum. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPJS    AKJ*.  57' 


CHAPTER  V. 

LEVI  FAIRFIELD'S  CHAMBER. 

LEVI  gave  Rucl  Belcher  such  information  as  he 
needed  in  regard  to  Dock's  vessel,  and  the 
ability  of  its  owner  to  pay  a  just  debt  of  two  hun 
dred  and  fifty  dollars. 

"Now,  Levi,  we  will  go  up  and  get  some  dinner, 
and  then  I  will  attend  to  Dock's  case,"  said  Ruel. 

"I  think  I  shall  not  go  up  to  the  house  yet  a 
while.  Uncle  Nathan  will  give  me  fits  if  I  do." 

"No,  he  won't:    you  must  have  your  dinner." 

"If  I  don't  have  it,  this  won't  be  the  first  time 
I've  gone  without  my  dinner." 

"Do  you  mean  to  say  that  your  uncle  would  not 
give  you  your  dinner?" 

"Well,  I  sit  down  to  the  table  sometimes  when 
there  isn't  enough  on  it  for  me,  let  alone  three 
of  us." 


58  THK    STAEKY   FLAG,    OK 

"I  know  he  is  mean." 

"Mean!  That  word  isn't  big  enough  to  say  what 
you  want  to  on  that  subject,"  replied  Levi,  with 
emphasis.  "He  would  boil  a  wooden  skewer  to  get 
the  grease  out  of  it.  I  suppose,  if  I  should  starve 
to  death,  he  would  have  the  money  that  is  coming 
to  me." 

"  Of  course  he  don't  mean  anything  of  that  sort." 

"I  don't  know  that  he  does,  but  I  don't  believe 
he  would  cry  his  eyes  out  if  I  should  die  to-night." 

"Perhaps  not,  but  he  wouldn't  do  anything  to 
help  you  off." 

"I  think  he  is  doing  it  now.  I  don't  like  to  say 
much  about  it,  but  I  don't  always  get  enough  to 
eat.  It  is  scrimp,  scrimp,  scrimp,  from  one  year's 
end  to  the  other.  I've  stood  this  thing  about  as 
long  as  I'm  going  to.  I  mean  to  have  a  little 
money  about  me,  and  when  there's  no  meat  on  the 
bones  at  home,  I'm  going  up  to  the  eating-house, 
and  have  my  dinner." 

"Don't  you  make  it  out  a  little  worse  than  it  is, 
Levi?" 

"No,  sir!     I  haven't  told  you  half." 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  59 

"  The  folks  always  seem  to  live  well  enough  when 
I've  been  here." 

"  Perhaps  they  do ;  but  I'd  like  to  have  company 
all  the  year  round,"  added  Levi. 

"I'll  inquire  into  this  business  before  I  go,  Levi, 
if  you  will  help  me  find  Dock  Vincent  after  dinner." 

"I'll  be  here  when  you  come  down." 

"No,  go  up  and  have  your  dinner,"  persisted 
Ruel. 

"I  don't  want  to  make  any  trouble.  If  uncle 
Nathan  will  only  let  me  alone,  I  will  look  out 
for  myself." 

"He  will." 

Levi  was  persuaded  to  go  to  the  house,  and  in 
due  time  was  helped  to  a  small  portion  of  the 
'•<  under  side  of  the  round ; "  and  the  young  fish 
erman  thought  it  was  a  great  deal  tougher  where 
there  was  none,  as  his  experience  fully  demonstrated. 
Ruel  was  in  a  hurry,  and  nothing  was  said  about 
the  affray  in  the  kitchen;  it  was  left  till  the  more 
important  business  of  the  day  had  been  disposed  of. 

After  dinner  Levi  showed  Ruel  where  to  find  hia 
debtor,  and  he  found  him;  but  Dock  declined  to 


60  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

pay.  A  lawyer  was  obtained,  a  writ  issued,  and 
Dock's  vessel  was  duly  attached,  just  as  he  was 
on  the  point  of  starting  for  Gloucester,  where  he 
was  going  to  load  a  freight  for  Boston.  Dock  was 
mad;  he  was  in  danger  of  losing  a  profitable  job; 
and,  about  five  in  the  afternoon,  he  paid  the  debt 
and  sailed  for  his  destined  port.  When  Ruel  had 
the  money  in  his  pocket,  he  found  it  was  too  late 
to  return  to  Salem  that  night,,  and  he  was  compelled 
to  accept  the  hospitality  of  his  brother-in-law. 

Levi  had  no  opportunity  to  visit  Gloucester  and 
buy  The  Starry  Flag  that  day,  but  he  determined 
to  get  up  before  daylight  the  next  morning,  and 
walk  over,  so  as  to  have  the  advantage  of  the 
tide  in  going  down  the  bay. 

"  Have  you  talked  to  that  boy,  Ruel  ?  "  said  uncle 
Nathan,  after  supper. 

"Yes,  I  said  something  to  him,"  replied  the 
brother-in-law,  glancing  at  Levi. 

"  He  needs  seein  to ;  he's  got  so  we  can't  do 
nothin  with  him,"  added  the  guardian,  sternly. 
"He  finds  fault  with  his  victuals,  wants  to  dresa 
tip  like  a  dandy,  and  tips  the  table  over." 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  61 

"I  didn't  tip  it  over,"  said  Levi,  as  calmly  as  he 
could. 

"Don't  tell  me!" 

"Well,  I  didn't,  uncle  Nuthan,"  protested  the 
young  fisherman. 

"  Don't  deny  it  again,  sir.    You  know  you  did ! " 

"You  pushed  me  on  it." 

"  Do  you  hear  that,  Ruel  ? "  added  uncle  Nathan, 
appealing  to  the  visitor.  "  He  contradicts  me  just  as 
though  I  wan't  nobody.  He  don't  seem  to  know 
what  a  guardeen  is  for." 

"  I  think  I  do,"  replied  Levi,  significantly. 

"That  boy's  got  twenty-one  dollars  in  his  pocket; 
and  he  won't  give  it  to  me." 

"  Let  him  have  it  then,"  laughed  Ruel. 

"Let  him  have  it!"  exclaimed  Mr.  Fairfield,  with 
an  exhibition  of  something  like  horror  on  his  skinny 
face. 

"Yes,  let  him  have  it.  He  is  fifteen  years'  old, 
and  ought  to  know  enough  not  to  fool  it  away." 

"He  don't." 

"I  only  want  it  to  buy  some  clothes,"  added 
Levi. 

6 


62  THE    STABKY   FLAG,   OS 

"He  don't  need  no  clothes.  He's  got  a  good  suit 
Up  stairs." 

"Why  don't  he  wear  it,  then?"  suggested  Ruel. 

"Them's  his  Sunday  clothes." 

"I  want  to  put  them  on  for  every  day,"  added 
Levi. 

"To  go  a  fishin  and  work  in  the  dirt  in!"  ejacu 
lated  Mrs.  Fairfield.  Sakes  alive!  what  are  we 
comin  to!" 

"I  want  to  wear  them  about  town;  I  shall  put 
on  my  old  clothes  to  fish  in,"  said  Levi. 

"You  don't  need  no  clothes.  Them  you  got  on  is 
good  enough,"  protested  the  miser. 

"  I  don't  think  they  are,  Nathan,"  added  RueL 
"They  are  nothing  but  rags  and  tatters.  He  went 
down  town  with  me  to-day,  and  I'm  free  to  say  I 
was  ashamed  of  his  looks." 

"  Well,  he  ought  to  put  on  his  best  clothes  when 
we  have  company." 

"I  don't  know  as  I  want  to  say  anything  more 
about  it  now,"  said  Ruel,  glancing  at  Levi.  "I  see 
you  don't  agree  very  well,  and  I  don't  want  to  make 
things  any  worse." 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  63 

"He's  a  bad  boy;  I  don't  know  what  he's  corain 
to,  if  something  ain't  done,"  added  Mr.  Fairfield. 
"  To  think  he  should  keep  that  money  when  I  told 
him  to  give  it  to  me  —  me,  his  guardeen." 

"I  guess  I'll  go  to  bed;  I'm  going  to  get  up 
pretty  early,"  continued  Levi,  who  saw  that  Rue! 
had  something  to  say  which  he  did  not  wish  to 
say  before  him. 

"I  don't  know  as  you've  got  room  enough  for 
me  to-night,"  suggested  the  visitor,  who  knew  that 
there  was  no  "  spare  room  "  in  the  house. 

"Yes,  we  have,  if  you  are  willin  to  sleep  with 
Levi.  It's  a  wide  bed,"  added  Mrs.  Fairfield. 

"  O,  yes,  I  can  sleep  with  Levi,  if  he  is  willing." 

"You  are  welcome  to  sleep  with  me,"  replied 
Levi. 

Uncle  Nathan  looked  as  though  it  did  not  make 
much  difference  whether  he  was  willing  or  not,  and 
Levi  went  to  his  room,  leaving  Ruel  Belcher,  whom 
he  already  regarded  as  his  friend,  to  plead  his  cause 
before  his  uncle  and  aunt. 

Ruel  was  faithful  to  the  duty  of  the  hour.  He 
knew  Nathan  Fairfield  well  enough  to  believe  that 


64  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

Levi,  in  his  complaints,  had  uttered  no  more  than 
the  truth;  and  he  was  sorry  to  be  compelled  to 
acknowledge  that  his  sister  had  adopted  the  views 
of  her  husband.  He  spoke  very  plainly  of  the  boy's 
affairs,  and  declared  that  he  had  a  right  to  be  sup 
ported  in  a  manner  corresponding  to  his  property. 

The  guardian  listened  impatiently  to  the  reproof. 
He  was  angry  that  his  brother-in-law,  for  whose  use 
and  benefit  he  had  actually  expended  twenty-five 
cents  in  the  purchase  of  a  slice  of  the  "under  side 
of  the  round,"  should  presume  to  take  part  with  the 
boy,  and  condemn  his  guardian.  It  was  impolite 
and  imgrateful. 

"  I'm  saying  Avhat  I  do  for  your  sake  quite  as  much 
as  for  the  boy's,"  protested  Kuel,  when  he  found  that 
his  advice  was  ungraciously  received. 

"You're  takin  sides  Avith  the  boy,  and  encouragin 
him  to  treat  me  as  he  does,"  replied  Mr.  Fail-field. 

"  Levi  says  he  won't  stand  this  any  longer ;  and  if  1 
know  human  nature,  lie  won't,"  added  Ruel.  "  There's 
fight  in  him,  and  he  can  make  a  good  deal  of  trouble 
for  you." 

"Sho!"   exclaimed  the  matron. 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE   ANN.  65 

"He's  made  trouble  enough  already,"  added  her 
husband. 

"  He  can  go  to  the  probate  court,  or  get  somebody 
to  do  it  for  him;  and  if  he  -can  prove  half  he  says, 
the  judge  would  remove  you  so  quick  it  would  make 
your  head  swim,"  added  Ruel,  decidedly. 

"You  don't  say!"   ejaculated  Mrs.  Fairfield. 

"I  ain't  afeerd  of  nothin  of  that  sort,"  said  Na 
than.  "  He's  a  bad  boy.  Why,  he  fit  me  like  a 
tiger  to-day." 

"  All  this  is  none  of  my  business ;  but  I  give  it  to 
you  as  my  advice  that  you  had  better  not  meddle 
with  him.  If  he  earns  any  money,  let  him  have  it." 

"Let  him  keep  the  twenty-one  dollars?" 

"Yes;  and  see  what  he  does  with  it.  If  he  uses 
it  well,  let  him  have  what  he  earns." 

"Ruel  Belcher,  you  don't  understand  that  boy!" 
said  Nathan,  impressively.  "  I  tell  you  he's  a  bad 
boy,  and  he's  goin  to  ruin  as  fast  as  he  can  go." 

"Let  him  alone,  and  then  we  shall  see.  If  he 
spends  his  earnings  foolishly,  it  will  be  time  enough 
to  stop  him  then." 

"  He'll  fool  away  every  cent  of  that  money." 
6* 


66  THE    STABBY   FLAG,   OR 

"Wait  and  see.  I  think  I'm  about  tired  enough 
to  go  to  bed  now,"  added  Ruel,  rising  from  his 
chair.  "I've  got  considerable  money  about  me,  you 
know;  do  you  think  it  will  be  safe?" 

"  I  s'pose  it  will  be.  There's  nobody  here  to  steal 
it,  unless  Levi  does;  and  I'm  afeerd  he  ain't  none 
too  good  to  do  sich  a  thing." 

"  O,  Levi  is  honest ! "   replied  Ruel. 

"I  hope  he  is,"  added  uncle  Nathan. 

Ruel  Belcher  took  a  lamp  and  went  up  to  the 
little,  low,  dingy  chamber,  which  had  served  before 
Levi's  advent  into  the  family  as  a  "  spare  room," 
though,  since  it  had  been  devoted  to  the  use  of  the 
ward,  most  of  the  furniture  had  been  removed,  or 
exchanged  for  meaner  articles  from  other  parts  of  the 
house. 

"  Asleep,  Levi  ? "  asked  the  guest,  as  he  entered 
the  room. 

"No,  sir,  not  yet." 

"Well,  I've  been  talking  over  your  affairs  with 
your  uncle,  and  I  hope  you  will  have  less  reason  to 
complain,"  added  Ruel  —  he  hoped  so,  perhaps,  but 
he  hardly  believed  it  would  be  so. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  67 

"I  am  much  obliged  to  you,  I'm  sure,"  answered 
Levi.  "  I  only  want  what  is  fair  and  right.  I'm 
willing  to  work  for  my  board,  thongh  uncle  Nathan 
has  an  allowance  of  three  dollars  a  week  for  my 
support." 

"  I  know  he  does :  be  peaceable,  Levi,  if  you  can." 
"I  will;   I  don't  want  to  have  any  trouble." 
"I've  got  considerable  money  about  me,  Levi;   do 
you  think  it  will  be  safe  ? "  continued  Ruel,  changing 
the  subject. 

"I  don't  know  who  could  take  it  here." 
"  I  guess  it  will  be  all  right.     I'll  put  it  under  my 
pillow." 

Ruel  deposited  his  wallet  in  the  place  indicated, 
and  got  into  bed.  He  was  tired,  and  in  a  short 
time  both  he  and  Levi  were  sound  asleep.  Half  an 
hour  later  uncle  Nathan  entered  the  room  in  his 
stocking-feet,  and  after  fumbling  over  the  garments 
of  both  the  sleepers  for  some  time,  he  retired  as 
noiselessly  as  he  had  entered. 

What  other  events  transpired  in  that  chamber 
before  the  dawn  of  the  day  were  known  to  no 
one  in  the  house. 


68  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

At  four  o'clock  Levi  got  up,  dressed  himself  i:i 
his  best  clothes,  and  left  the  room  without  waking 
Ruel  Belcher. 

When  the  guest  rose,  two  hours  later,  his  two 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  was  gone! 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  69 


CHAPTER  VI. 

WHO    STOLE    THE    WALLET? 

IT  was  six  o'clock  when  Ruel  Belcher  rose  from 
his  bed,  and  wondered  how  he  could  have  slept 
so  long;  but  he  concluded  that  the  fatigue  and  ex 
citement  of  collecting  a  bad  debt  were  the  cause, 
and  as  he  was  dressing  he  congratulated  himself 
upon  his  good  fortune  in  obtaining  his  money ;  and 
considering  the  character  and  antecedents  of  Dock, 
he  had  abundant  reasons  for  doing  so.  Ruel  was  a 
hard-working  carpenter,  and  by  no  means  a  rich 
man.  The  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  therefore, 
was  a  large  sum  of  money  to  him ;  and  as  he  had 
had  no  expectation  of  collecting  it,  he  was  peculiarly 
happy  in  its  possession. 

As  he  put  on  his  clothes,  he  could  not  help  think 
ing  what  a  pleasure  it  would  be  to  tell  his  wife  that 
he  had  the  money  in  his  pocket ;  and  as  the  thought 


70  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OR 

passed  through  his  mind,  he  went  to  the  bed  and 
raised  the  pillow  under  which  he  had  placed  his 
wallet. 

It  was  not  there. 

Ruel  was  alarmed.  He  pulled  out  the  pillows  and 
bolster,  shook  the  bedclothes,  turned  the  mattress, 
and  searched  in  every  place  he  could  think  of  for 
the  lost  treasure.  It  was  certainly  gone.  Ruel  was 
in  despair.  What  a  story  this  would  be  to  tell  his 
wife !  He  felt  cheap  and  mean  to  think  he  had 
been  "  smart "  enough  to  collect  the  money,  and  had 
then  lost  it.  He  finished  dressing  himself,  and  then 
made  another  thorough  search  for  the  wallet,  but 
with  no  better  success  than  before. 

He  went  down  stairs,  and  announced  his  loss  to 
his  sister.  She  was  quite  sure  it  must  be  somewhere 
in  the  room,  and  she  went  up  and  searched  for  it. 
Then  Mr.  Fairfield  came  in,  and,  being  informed  of 
the  loss,  he  went  up  and  searched  for  it ;  but  the 
wallet  was  not  to  be  found. 

"  I  can't  think  what's  become  on't,"  said  Mrs.  Fair- 
field,  greatly  perplexed. 

"Nor  I   either,"   replied   Ruel.     "I   was   dreaming 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE   ANN.  71 

of  that  money  last  night,  now  I  think  of  it.  It 
seemed  to  me  I  got  scared  about  it.  I  had  an  idea 
some  one  was  coming  into  the  room  to  take  it  away 
from  me." 

"Perhaps  you  wasn't  asleep,"  suggested  Mrs.  Fair- 
field,  glancing  at  her  husband. 

"  O,  I  slept  like  a  rock.  I  didn't  know  a  thing 
from  the  time  I  went  to  sleep  till  six  o'clock  this 
morning,"  added  Ruel. 

"  Perhaps  you  kinder  half  waked  up  when  Nathan 
went  into  your  room,"  continued  the  matron. 

"Did  he  come  into  the  room?" 

"Yes,  I  went  in  about  'leven  o'clock,"  added  Mr. 
Fail-field. 

«  Well,  I  didn't  hear  you." 

"Perhaps  you  sort  o'  waked,  and,  seem'  Nathan, 
thought  you  dreamed  it,"  explained  Mrs.  Fairfield. 

"  It  may  have  been  so,  but  I  don't  think  it  was. 
What  did  you  come  into  the  room  for,  Nathan  ? " 
asked  Ruel. 

"  I  hope  you  don't  think  I  took  your  money !  * 
exclaimed  Mr.  Fairfield. 

"  Of  course  I  don't  think  anything  of  that  sort." 


72  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

Rucl  did  not  believe  his  brother-in-law  had  robbed 
him,  though  he  could  not  help  thinking  that  such  a 
thing  was  possible  with  a  man  who  loved  money  as 
Nathan  did. 

"I'll  tell  you  how  it  was,  Ruel,"  continued  Mr. 
Fairfield,  not  a  little  embarrassed  by  the  circum 
stances  which  appeared  to  conspire  against  him.  "  As 
Levi's  guardeen,  I  think  twenty-one  dollars  is  too 
much  for  him  to  have." 

"  So  do  I,"  interposed  Mrs.  Fairfield,  willing  to 
justify  her  husband.  "  It's  a  shame  for  him  to 
behave  as  he  does.  He  knows  more'n  his  uncle 
now,  and  if  sunthin  ain't  done,  the  boy'll  go  to 
ruin  right  off." 

"  I  didn't  mean  Lcvi  should  fool  away  that  money, 
no  how ;  and  I  went  up  stairs  for  it,  after  he  had 
gone  to  sleep.  That's  the  long  and  short  of  the 
whole  matter." 

"That's  the  truth,  you  may  depend  upon't,"  added 
his  sympathizing  spouse. 

"Did  you  get  the  money?"  asked  Ruel,  curiously 

"No,  I  didn't." 

"  I  suppose  not." 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  73 

"  I  sarched  all  his  pockets,  but  I  couldn't  find 
nothin  on't." 

"  Levi  isn't  a  fool,"  added  Ruel. 

"  What  do  you  mean  by  that  ?  "  demanded  Nathan. 

"  After  you  tried  to  take  his  money  away  from  him 
by  force,  he  wouldn't  be  likely  to  bring  it  into  the 
house  again.  But  that's  neither  here  nor  there :  my 
money's  gone,  if  Levi's  isn't,  and  I'd  like  to  know 
what  has  become  of  it." 

"So  should  I,"  said  Mr.  Fail-field. 

"  I  can't  think  what  has  become  on't,"  added  Mrs. 
Fairfield.  "  Nobody  couldn't  git  into  the  house  to 
steal  it.  The  doors  were  all  bolted  this  mornin  just 
as  I  left  'em  last  night,  and  none  of  the  winders  has 
been  teched.  I  can't  see  through  it  at  all." 

"  Nor  I  nuther,"  said  Mr.  Fail-field.  "  Two  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars  is  a  sight  of  money  to  lose." 

"Where's  Levi?"  asked  Ruel. _  "Perhaps  he  will 
know  something  about  it.  Where  is  he?" 

"  I  don't  know.  I  hain't  seen  the  boy  sence  I  got 
up.  I  s'pose  he's  gone  off  after  dog-fish,"  replied 
Mrs.  Fairfield. 

"I   hain't  seen  him   nuther,"   added    her  husband. 
7 


74  THE    STAKKY    FLAG,    OR 

"  I  went  down  after  sunthin  to  eat,  and  hain't  been 
about  house  till  just  now." 

tlncle  Nathan  had  actually  purchased  another  slice 
from  the  under  side  of  the  round,  that  morning,  and 
after  the  ingratitude  of  his  brother-in-law  in  siding 
with  Levi,  taking  twenty-five  cents  from  his  pocket 
for  such  a  purpose  was  like  taking  out  the  best 
tooth  in  his  head. 

Ruel  was  nervous  and  uneasy  about  his  money. 
He  hoped  Levi  might  know  something  about  it,  and 
he  went  to  the  cove  to  see  if  he  was  there.  Levi 
was  not  there  ;  but  the  dingy  dory  was,  which 
proved  that  he  had  not  gone  after  dog-fish.  At 
seven  o'clock  the  young  fisherman  had  not  returned. 
When  Mrs.  Fairfield  went  up  stairs  to  make  the  bed, 
she  saw  the  old  clothes  of  Levi  hanging  in  the 
closet ;  and  then  she  made  the  astounding  discovery 
that  he  had  dressed  himself  in  his  Sunday  suit. 

"  What  can  it  mean  ? "  exclaimed  she,  after  she 
had  announced  the  significant  fact  to  her  husband 
and  the  guest. 

"  It  means  that  he  has  gone  off,"  replied  Mr.  Fair- 
field. 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF   CAPE   ANN.  75 

•'  Gone  off!  "  repeated  Ruel. 

'•'  Run  away,"  added  Nathan. 

*  Perhaps  he  is  round  town  somewhere  now." 

"•  I  guess  not.  What  did  he  dress  himself  up  for  ? 
W~hy  didn't  he  come  home  to  breakfast  ?  If  he 
dressed  up  for  company,  why  don't  he  stay  and  see 
the  company  ? "  continued  the  guardian  of  Levi, 
piling  up  his  interrogatory  arguments,  until  the  poor 
boy  seemed  to  be  crushed  and  condemned  beneath 
the  weight  of  them. 

There  was  something  like  triumph  apparent  in  the 
tones  and  the  manner  of  Nathan  Fail-field,  as  he 
heaped  up  the  evidence  against  his  nephew.  Ruel 
could  not  think  now,  with  all  these  indications  of 
JLevi's  guilt,  that  he  —  his  brother-in-law  —  had  taken 
Ids  money.  Besides,  he  had  labored  hard  on  the 
preceding  evening  to  show  that  Levi  was  a  bad 
boy ;  Ruel  would  not  believe  it,  and  it  was  pleasant 
to  have  his  statement  proved  to  be  correct,  especially 
at  the  expense  of  the  unbeliever. 

"  I  didn't  think  Levi  was  a  bad  boy,"  said  Ruel, 
musing.  "  He  didn't  seem  like  one  to  me,  and  I 
rather  liked  him." 


76  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OK 

"  I  cal'late  you'll  believe  what  I  say  another  ti 
replied  Nathan.  "  Levi's  a  bad  boy;  and  he's  been 
goin  on  from  bad  to  wus,  till  no  one  can  tell  what'l] 
become  on  him.  I  s'pose  you  know  what's  come  of 
your  money  now." 

"  I  hope  Levi  didn't  take  it,"  answered  Ruel ;  and 
he  really  did  hope  so,  even  while  it  seemed  to  be 
impossible  to  doubt  the  fact. 

"  That  boy  must  be  taken  care  on.  'Tain't  no  use 
to  let  him  run  on  any  longer,"  added  the  guardian. 

"What  can  we  do?" 

"  We  must  find  him  first.  I  think  we'd  better 
have  him  taken  up,  and  then  we  can  tell  what's  best 
to  be  done,"  replied  Nathan. 

"  Before  we  do  that,  we  had  better  look  round 
town,  and  see  if  we  can  find  him." 

"  lie  ain't  in  town  now,  you  may  depend  on't. 
He's  gone  off." 

Ruel  was  not  so  positive,  and  an  hour  was  spent 
in  searching  the  vicinity  for  the  fugitive.  He  was 
not  to  be  found,  and  by  nine  o'clock  a  warrant  for 
the  arrest  of  Levi,  on  the  charge  of  robbing  his  bed 
fellow  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  was  taken 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  77 

'jiit,  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  an  officer,  who  imme 
diately  went  to  Gloucester  in  search  of  the  alleged 
robber. 

Nathan  Fairfield  groaned  in  spirit  on  that  day,  for 
Ruel  Belcher  appeared  to  be  quartered  upon  him  for 
several  days ;  and  what  pounds  of  the  under  side  of 
the  round  he  would  consume !  What  quantities  of 
hot  biscuit  he  would  devour !  What  ounces  of  cheap 
tea  he  would  pour  down !  What  spoonfuls  of  brown 
sugar  he  would  use !  It  was  really  appalling,  and 
not  even  the  satisfaction  of  proving  that  Levi  was  a 
rascal  could  compensate  for  such  an  inroad  .upon  his 
domestic  economy.  Leaving  him  to  groan  in  anguish 
over  his  visitor's  terrific  appetite,  we  will  return  to 
the  unfortunate  youth,  over  whom  the  clouds  of 
wrath  were  gathering  thick  and  black. 

Levi  got  up  at  daylight,  and  dressed  himself  in 
his  best  clothes,  for  the  visit  to  Gloucester.  He 
hoped  that  the  influence  of  Ruel  Belcher  would 
have  some  effect  upon  his  lot ;  that  his  uncle  would 
permit  him  to  have  and  to  enjoy  his  extra  earnings 
in  peace.  He  felt  grateful  to  the  guest  for  the 
interest  he  had  manifested  in  him,  and  if  he 

7* 


78  THE    STARKY    FLAG,    OR 

dared  to  do  so,  he  would  have  told  him  all  about 
the  money  he  had  concealed  in  the  rocks,  and  all 
about  his  plan  to  buy  The  Starry  Flag. 

Levi  dressed  himself  very  carefully,  so  as  not  to 
disturb  the  visitor.  He  did  not  like  to  go  away  and 
leave  him,  for  Ruel  had  seemed  like  a  friend ;  but 
The  Starry  Flag  might  be  sold  if  there  was  any 
delay.  Besides,  he  hoped  to  return  before  the  guest 
departed,  and  thus  secure  his  influence  in  reconciling 
his  guardian  to  the  new  boat.  With  a  light  step 
he  descended  the  stairs,  and  left  the  house,  passing 
out  through  the  cellar  door,  which  fastened  with  a 
wooden  spring ;  for,  when  Ruel  had  so  much  money 
about  him,  he  did  not  think  it  was  safe  to  leave  the 
back  door  unbolted. 

The  thought  of  the  guest's  money  made  him 
inquire  whether  his  own  was  safe.  He  had  left  it 
out  doors,  because  it  would  be  more  secure  than 
under  the  same  roof  with  his  guardian  ;  but  he  had 
some  doubts.  Dock  Vincent  might  have  watched 
him  when  he  concealed  the  wallet.  His  heart  rose 
up  into  his  throat  at  the  very  thought ;  but  he 
hastened  down  to  the  cove.  The  cache  he  had 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  79 

made  had  not  been  disturbed,  and  after  removing 
the  stones  he  had  heaped  upon  it,  he  took  the  wallet 
from  the  crevice  in  the  rock.  It  was  all  right,  and 
his  heart  leaped  with  exultant  joy. 

With  a  light  step  he  walked  through  the  village, 
and  took  the  road  to  Gloucester.  As  he  trudged 
along,  bright  visions  lighted  up  his  vivid  imagination, 
and  he  pictured  to  himself  the  pleasure  he  should 
derive  from  sailing  The  Starry  Flag.  If  his  uncle 
did  not  treat  him  well,  or  would  not  allow  him  to 
enjoy  his  own  earnings,  he  could  even  live  on  board 
the  boat;  for  there  was  a  cuddy  large  enough  for 
him  to  sleep  in. 

There  would  be  an  "  awful  tempest,"  when  uncle 
Nathan  found  he  had  bought  the  boat ;  but  Levi 
was  prepared  for  the  worst.  He  was  determined 
not  to  be  "  ground  down  "  any  longer.  If  his  guar 
dian  would  not  make  a  man  of  him,  he  would  make 
a  man  of  himself. 

Thus  dreaming  of  the  future,  and  thus  preparing 
his  mind  for  the  wrath  of  his  guardian,  he  entered 
Gloucester,  and  soon  found  the  wharf  where  The 
Starry  Flag  lay. 


80  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OH 


CHAPTER  VII. 

OFF    EASTERN    POINT. 

IT  was  half  past  five  in  the  morning  when  Levi 
Fairfield  reached  the  wharf  in  Gloucester,  all  un 
suspicious  of  the  mischief  which  his  unexplained 
departure  from  home  was  to  occasion.  The  Starry 
Flag  lay  in  the  water  near  the  shop  of  her  benev 
olent  builder,  who  had  not  yet  come  to  his  daily 
work.  As  nothing  could  be  done  to  forward  the 
business,  Lcvi  devoted  himself  to  an  examination  of 
the  beautiful  craft.  Hauling  in  the  painter,  he  went 
on  board,  and  carefully  scrutinized  every  part  of  her. 
The  Starry  Flag  was  twenty-one  feet  long,  sloop 
rigged,  and  had  a  cuddy  forward,  which  contained 
two  berths.  She  was  built  in  the  most  substantial 
manner,  and  had  already  proved  herself  to  be  a  stiff' 
and  stanch  sea-boat.  She  worked  admirably  in  a 
heavy  sea,  and  it  was  even  said  that  she  could  be 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  81 

worked  to  windward  under  her  jib  alone.  It  is  true 
she  was  not  what  would  be  called  a  "fancy  yacht;" 
she  had  no  mahogany  panels,  no  elaborate  brass 
work,  no  gilded  figure-head.  She  was  plain  and 
neat,  with  little  or  no  "gingerbread  work"  about 
her.  It  was  her  fine  model,  and  her  graceful  sitting 
upon  the  water,  that  made  her  a  beautiful  craft. 

Levi  glowed  with  enthusiasm  as  he  surveyed  the 
boat  —  as  he  examined  the  construction  and  arrange^ 
ment  of  everything  about  her.  He  crawled  into  the 
cuddy,  which  was  just  high  enough  to  permit  him 
to  sit  down  on  the  berth,  though,  for  the  size  of  the 
craft,  it  was  quite  a  roomy  apartment,  and  large 
enough  to  accommodate  himself  and  one  other  very 
comfortably.  It  was  not  furnished,  and  while  the 
prospective  owner  of  The  Starry  Flag  was  debating 

« 

with  himself  whether  he  should  spend  his  twenty-one 
dollars  in  the  purchase  of  a  couple  of  mattresses,  or 
in  procuring  a  suit  of  clothes,  he  heard  a  step  upon 
the  wharf. 

"  What  are  you  doing  in  that  boat  ? "  demanded 
the  owner. 

"I  was  only  looking  at  her,"  replied  Levi. 


82  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"  We  don't  allow  folks  on  board  of  her,  unless 
they  want  to  buy  her." 

"That's  just  my  case,"  added  Levi,  as  he  stepped 
upon  the  wharf. 

"  I  reckon  you  don't  exactly  know  what  you  are 
talking  about,"  said  Mr.  Hatch,  the  builder,  as  he 
measured  the  boy  from  head  to  foot  with  his  eye. 

"I  reckon  I  do,  Mr.  Hatch.  I  came  over  from 
Rockport  on  purpose  to  buy  her,  if  you  will  let  me 
have  her  for  what's  about  right." 

"You?" 

"  I'm  your  man,  Mr.  Hatch.  I  know  you,  if  you 
don't  know  me.  If  you  want  to  sell  this  boat  for  a 
fair  price,  I  want  to  buy  her." 

"  I  rather  think  she  will  cost  too  much  for  you. 
She's  a  nice  boat." 

"  I  know  she  is ;  and  that's  the  reason  I  want  to 
buy  her.  I  shouldn't  want  her  if  she  wasn't  a  nice 
boat.  What  do  you  ask  for  her?" 

"  Two  hundred  and  fifty ;  and  she's  as  cheap  as 
dirt  at  that." 

"Won't  you  take  two  hundred  for  her?" 

"I  won't  take  a  cent  less  than  I  said,  for  you  ee« 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    AWN.  83 

the  'money  's  for  the  new  church  over  in  your 
town." 

Levi  offered  two  hundred  and  twenty-five ;  but 
Mr.  Hatch  thought  it  would  be  cheating  "  the  treas 
ury  of  the  Lord"  to  take  anything  less  than  the 
price,  and  he  was  inflexible. 

"Til  take  her,  sir,"  said  Levi,  when  he  had  exer 
cised  all  his  Yankee  shrewdness  in  trying  to  make 
a  good  bargain. 

"It  seems  to  me  you  are  pretty  young  to  buy  a 
boat  like  this,"  said  the  builder,  good-naturedly. 

"Perhaps  I  am;  but  I've  got  the  money,  and  I 
suppose  that  is  all  you  want,"  answered  Levi. 

"Well,  no;  that  isn't  all  I  want.  Boys  like  you 
don't  very  often  have  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars 
to  spend  for  a  boat,  and  I  want  to  know  that  it's 
all  right  before  I  let  her  go.  What's  your  name?" 

"Levi  Fairfield." 

"You  are  not  Captain  Fail-field's  boy  —  are  you?" 

"Yes,  sir;  I  live  at  Rockport  with  my  uncle  Na 
than." 

"Yes,  I  know  you  do;  and  I  don't  know  as  that 
helps  the  matter  much,"  added  Mr.  Hatch,  with  a 


84  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

significant  chuckle.  "Nathan  Fail-field's  your  guar 
dian  and  I  suppose  it  would  be  just  about  as  easy  to 
jump  over  the  moon  as  it  would  be  for  him  to  give 
you  money  enough  to  buy  this  boat." 

"He  didn't  give  it  to  me." 

"I  supposed  not,"  laughed  the  boat-builder. 
"  Where  did  you  get  the  money  ? " 

Levi  explained  where  he  got  it. 

"I  guess  it's  all  right,  Levi,"  added  Mr.  Hatch. 
"Mr.  Ames,  the  minister,  was  over  here  yesterday 
afternoon,  and  told  me  a  boy  saved  a  girl  from 
drowning;  but  I  had  no  idea  you  were  the  young 
fellow." 

"Mr.  Watson  let  me  have  the  money  on  purpose 
to  buy  this  boat,  and  you  may  depend  upon  it,  the 
matter  is  all  straight." 

"  Then  the  boat  is  yours.  Come  into  the  shop 
\vith  me,  and  I  Avill  make  out  a  bill  of  sale  of  her." 

The  bill  was  made  out,  and  Levi  paid  over  the 
two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  with  the  feeling  that 
The  Starry  Flag  was  dog-cheap  at  that  price.  Mr. 
Hatch  was  much  pleased  with  the  purchaser,  and 
vhen  the  trade  was  completed,  he  invited  him  to 


THE    YOUXG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    AXN.  85 

take  breakfast  with  him.  Levi  accepted  the  invita 
tion,  and  finding  a  much  better  table  than  that  to 
which  he  was  accustomed  at  the  house  of  his  guar 
dian,  he  did  ample  justice  to  the  generous  fare  of  his 
host. 

Though  the  stores  were  now  open  in  the  town, 
Levi,  anxious  to  reach  Rockport  before  the  depart 
ure  of  Ruel  Belcher,  concluded  to  defer  the  purchase 
of  his  clothes  till  another  day.  Full  of  joy  and 
exultation,  he  embarked  in  the  boat,  which  he 
could  now  call  his  own,  cast  off  the  painter, 
pushed  off,  and  with  the  best  wishes  of  Mr.  Hatch, 
started  on  his  voyage  round  the  cape.  The  tide  was 
going  out,  but  there  was  hardly  a  breath  of  wind  to 
swell  the  sails  he  spread.  Unless  he  found  a  breeze 
outside  of  the  harbor,  he  could  hardly  expect  to 
reach  Rockport  before  afternoon;  but  he  hoped  for 
the  best.  With  a  fresh  wind  the  boat  would  make 
the  distance  in  a  couple  of  hours. 

When   two   hours   had   elapsed,   The    Starry   Flag 

had  hardly  reached  Norman  Woe  Reef,  which  lies  at 

the   entrance    of  Gloucester   Harbor.      As   there  was 

now  no  possibility  of  getting  home  before  the  depart- 

8 


86  THE    STAKKY    FLAG,    OR 

ure  of  Ruel,  the  young  fisherman  gave  up  the  hope 
of  doing  so,  and  began  to  consider  how  he  should 
conduct  his  defence  before  his  guardian.  Ahead  of 
him  lay  a  small  schooner,  which  he  recognized  as  the 

Griffin,   Dock   Vincent's    vessel.      She    had    probably 
/ 

been  becalmed  during  the  night,  and  could  not  get 
up  the  bay  against  the  tide. 

Levi  did  not  care  to  meet  Dock  just  then,  espe 
cially  after  the  assistance  he  had  rendered  Ruel  in 
collecting  his  debt.  He  wanted  to  sheer  off,  and 
avoid  him ;  but  there  was  not  a  particle  of  wind,  and 
the  boat  was  drifting  helplessly  with  the  tide,  which 
bore  him  directly  alongside  of  the  Griffin. 

"Hallo,  Levi!  What  are  you  doing  here?"  de 
manded  Dock,  from  the  deck  of  his  vessel. 

"Going  home." 

"Is  that  The  Starry  Flag?" 

"Yes." 

"What  are  you  doing  with  her?" 

"I've  bought  her,  and  she's  mine  now,"  replied 
Levi,  with  a  feeling  of  pride  and  satisfaction. 

"Have  you,  though?" 

"Just  bought  her,  and  paid  for  her." 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE   ANN.  87 

"Come  aboard  —  will  you?  I  want  to  talk  with 
you,"  added  Dock. 

"I  can't  stop  now;   I  want  to  get  home." 

"You  might  as  well  stop  where  you  are  till  a 
breeze  of  wind  comes.  When  you  get  outside  of 
Eastern  Pint,  the  tide  will  set  you  back." 

Le1*i  knew  this  to  be  true,  and  he  hauled  up  along 
side  the  Griffin.  Dock  did  not  manifest  any  resent 
ment  towards  him  on  account  of  the  debt,  and  Levi 
wished  to  inform  nim  what  Mr.  Watson  had  done, 
in  order  to  free  the  rich  merchant  from  the  imputa 
tion  of  meanness  which  Dock  cast  upon  him. 

"So  you've  bought  The  Starry  Flag  —  have  you?" 
continued  Dock,  when  Levi  stepped  upon  the  deck 

^i 

of  the  Griffin. 

"I  have  —  gave  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for 
her.  I  promised  to  tell  you  to-day  what  Mr.  Wat 
son  did  for  me." 

"He  gave  you  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  — 
did  he?" 

"He  offered  to  give  it  to  me,  but  I  didn't  like  to 
take  it  for  picking  up  a  drowning  girl ;  so  I  borrowed 
it  of  him." 


88  THE    STAKUY    tfLAG,    OB 

"Borrowed  it!  I  say,  Levi,  you  are  a  fool!" 
sneered  Dock.  "That  man  ought  to  have  given 
you  a  thousand  dollars  at  the  very  least;  and  you 
were  a  fool  to  let  him  off  for  anything  less  than 
that." 

"If  I  am  satisfied  with  what  he  has  done,  I  don't 
think  anybody  else  has  a  right  to  complain,"  replied 
Levi,  with  considerable  spirit. 

For  an  hour,  Dock  labored  to  convince  the  young 
fisherman  that  he  had  been  grievously  wronged  and 
cheated  by  the  wealthy  merchant  from  Boston;  but 
Levi,  happy  in  the  possession  of  The  Starry  Flag, 
refused  to  be  convinced.  Mr.  Watson  had  done  "the 
handsome  thing,"  in  his  opinion,  and  so  far  from  feel 
ing  any  dissatisfaction,  he  was  deeply  grateful  to 
him. 

"If  you  don't  know  your  rights,  Levi,  I'm  not 
going  to  teach  you,"  continued  Pock.  "According 
to  your  own  story,  Watson  didn't  give  you  anything. 
He  paid  you  ten  dollars  for  the  fish  you  lost,  and 
lent  you  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars." 

"I  don't  suppose  he  expects  me  to  pay  him  back 
Ivhat  I  borrowed,  but  I  mean  to  do  so,"  added  Levi, 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  89 

"Then  Watson  didn't  give  you  anything?" 

"No,  but  —  " 

"That's  all  I  want  to  know.  Now,  Levi,  I've  got 
a  bone  to  pick  with  you." 

"What's  that?" 

"You  served  me  a  mean  trick  yesterday." 

"I  didn't  serve  you  any  mean  trick,"  protested 
Levi. 

•'  Yes,  you  did ;  you  helped  Belcher  get  that  money 
out  of  me." 

"You  owed  it  to  him  —  didn't  you?" 

"  That's  none  of  your  business ;  I  don't  like  to  pay 
money  till  I  get  ready.  I  know  just  where  I  can 
trip  you  up,  Levi,  and  I'm  going  to  do  it.  I  used 
to  think  you  was  a  friend  of  mine,  and  would  be 
willing  to  do  me  a  good  turn  if  you  got  a  chance." 

"  Without  claiming  to  be  your  friend,  I'm  willing 
to  do  you  a  good  turn  now,"  replied  Levi. 

"You  are  not;  if  you  had  told  me  Belcher  was 
looking  for  me,  I  could  have  kept  my  vessel  out  of 
his  way.  You  didn't  do  it;  you  helped  Belcher, 
instead  of  me.  I  don't  find  no  fault,  Levi;  you 
have  chosen  for  yourself.  If  you  don't  want  any- 
8* 


90  THE    STAKBY    FLAG,    OK 

thing  of  me,  I  don't  want  anything  of  you.  I'm 
your  enemy  now." 

"If  you  are,  I  can't  help  it." 

"You'll  get  tripped  up." 

"If  I  am,  I  will  pick  myself  up,"  said  Leyi,  as 
lightly  as  he  could;  but  he  did  not  like  to  have 
such  a  man  as  Dock  for  an  enemy. 

"  If  you  have  a  mind  to  join  me  in  a  little  plan 
of  mine  that  won't  hurt  nobody,  I  will  — " 

"I  won't  join  you  in  any  plan,"  interposed  Levi, 
who,  being  honest,  felt  that  he  could  afford  to  be 
independent. 

"Just  as  you  like,  Levi;  but  look  out  for  break 
ers!"  said  Dock,  with  a  threatening  shake  of  his 
head. 

"There's  a  breeze  coming,  and  I  guess  I'll  be  off," 
added  Levi,  as  he  jumped  into  his  boat. 

"Just  remember  what  I've  said  to  you;  and  when 
you  want  to  see  me,  I'm  round,"  said  Dock. 

The  Starry  Flag  caught  the  first  breath  of  the 
coming  wind,  and  went  off  towards  Eastern  Point. 
Levi  was  annoyed  by  the  threats  of  Dock,  but  he 
was  resolved  to  be  honest  and  true,  come  what 


THE  YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE   ANN.  91 

might  come.  The  boat  worked  well,  and  as  she 
was  rounding  the  Point,  Levi  was  rather  pleased  to 
see  a  schooner  boat  making  towards  him,  for  it  gave 
him  the  promise  of  a  race. 

That   schooner   boat  contained  the  constable,  with 
a  warrant  in  his  pocket  for  the  arrest  of  Levi 


THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 


CHAPTER  VHI. 

THE  TEMPEST  AND  THE  WRECK. 

LEVI  F  AIRFIELD  had  no  suspicion  of  the 
tempest  that  was  brewing  over  him  at  home, 
and  of  which  the  constable  in  the  schooner  boat 
was  the  forerunner ;  but  he  was  weatherwise  enough 
to  see  that  a  literal  storm  was  gathering  in  the 
west,  which  might  try  the  nerves  of  The  Starry 
Flag,  if  it  did  not  those  of  her  bold-hearted  skipper. 
The  wind  was  now  blowing  a  gentle  breeze  from 
the  eastward,  but  vast  volumes  of  dense  black  clouds 
were  piling  up  in  the  opposite  quarter.  They  were 
squally-looking  clouds,  and  even  a  less  experienced 
salt  than  the  young  fisherman  might  have  known 
that  there  was  wind  in  them. 

There  was  no  present  danger,  and  Levi,  deter 
mined  to  "  keep  his  weather-eye  open  tight,"  watched 
with  deep  interest  the  movement  of  the  schooner 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF    CAPE    ANN.  93 

boat,  which,  by  getting  the  breeze  sooner  than  the 
Flag,  had  approached  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile. 
She  was  evidently  following  him,  and  he  could  con 
ceive  of  no  other  purpose  on  the  part  of  her  skipper 
than  that  of  "  trying  a  race  "  with  him. 

Levi  had  a  great  deal  of  confidence  in  the  sailing 
qualities  of  his  boat ;  and  after  holding  on  his  course 
to  the  northward  for  a  time,  he  had  the  intense 
satisfaction  of  finding  that  the  other  boat  did  not 
gain  upon  him.  But  the  race  was  not  so  exciting, 
at  that  distance,  as  it  would  be  with  the  boats 
abreast  of  each  other;  and  he  put  his  helm  down, 
throwing  the  Flag  up  into  the  wind  for  the  purpose 
of  waiting  for  his  rival  to  come  up. 

The  schooner  boat  bore  down  upon  him,  and  in  a 
few  moments  was  within  hailing  distance,  the  boat 
man  prudently  keeping  her  well  to  windward,  for  he 
seemed  to  comprehend  the  fact  that  the  Flag  was 
the  faster  craft  of  the  two.  When  she  was  fairly 
abreast -of  him,  Levi  filled  away  again,  and  began  to 
be  quite  excited  as  the  race  opened. 

"  Levi ! "  shouted  the  constable  in  the  schooner 
boat,  when  he  saw  that  the  chase  was  off  again. 


94  THE    STAEKY   FLAG,   OB 

"  Schooner  ahoy ! "  shouted  Levi,  in  reply. 

"Levi!"  repeated  the  officer. 

"  Hallo  !  "  replied  Levi,  now  recognizing  Mr.  Gayles, 
the  constable,  but  without  the  remotest  idea  that  the 
officer  was  after  him  in  his  official  capacity. 

"  I  want  to  see  you,"  added  Mr.  GayJes. 

"Want  to  race  —  don't  you?" 

"I'm  after  you." 

"All  right,"  answered  Levi,  who  interpreted  this 
remark  to  mean  that  he  wished  to  catch  him,  nau- 
tically  speaking.  "  Come  along !  I'm  all  ready  for 
you." 

The  Flag  gathered  headway,  and  began  to  run 
away  from  the  schooner  boat  at  a  rate  which  proba 
bly  astonished  the  skipper  of  the  latter  as  much  as 
it  delighted  the  skipper  of  the  former. 

"  Hold  on,  Levi ! "  cried  the  constable. 

"  Can't  stop,"  replied  the  young  fisherman,  so  ex 
hilarated  by  the  race  that  he  could  think  of  nothing 
else. 

If  he  had  been  guilty  of  any  crime,  he  might  have 
thought  that  the  constable  was  after  him.  He  knew 
Mr.  Gayles  very  well;  indeed,  he  was  the  map  who 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE   ANN.  95 

bought  the  dog-fish  livers  of  him,  and  he  was  anxious 
to  prove  to  him  that  The  Starry  Flag  was  "the 
fastest  boat  out."  He  certainly  established  the  fact 
that  she  could  outsail  the  schooner  boat,  for  in  half 
an  hour  she  was  a  quarter  of  a  mile  ahead  of  her 
rival,  and  the  parties  were  no  longer  within  speaking 
distance  of  each  other.  While  they  were  in  these 
relative  positions,  the  wind  suddenly  died  out,  and 
the  sails  of  both  napped  loosely  from  the  gaffs. 

The  black  and  angry  clouds  were  travelling  rapidly 
up  to  the  zenith.  The  morning  had  been  intensely 
warm,  and  the  air  was  "  close "  and  oppressive.  It 
was  one  of  those  days  which  seem  to  invite  a  tumult 
in  the  elements ;  one  of  those  days  which  wind  up 
with  a  squall,  a  hurricane,  or  an  earthquake.  Both 
the  schooner  and  the  sloop  now  lay  helpless  upon 
the  water,  rising  and  falling  on  the  long  rollers  which 
throbbed  and  throbbed  with  glassy  surfaces  till  they 
were  dashed  to  pieces  on  the  rocky  coast. 

The  calm  was  the  prelude  of  a  storm.  The  light 
nings  glared  upon  the  darkened  waters,  and  the 
heavy  thunders  roared  and  rattled.  The  sun  was 
shut  in  by  the  inky  clouds,  and  it  looked  like  coming 


96  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OE 

night  upon  the  ocean.  All  was  still  and  quiet  in 
the  boats,  except  the  swaying  of  the  sails,  as  the 
little  craft  rolled  on  the  glassy  billow's. 

Levi  ceased  to  regard  the  schooner  boat  as  a 
rival,  and  now  gazed  earnestly  to  the  westward,  from 
which  the  shower  was  coming  up.  He  improved 
these  idle  moments  in  lowering  and  stowing  his  jib, 
for  he  was  almost  sure  of  a  heavy  squall.  Glancing 
at  the  other  boat,  he  saw  that  she  had  taken  in  her 
jib  and  mainsail,  and  that  the  two  men  in  her  were 
rowing  towards  him.  He  then  examined  his  mainsail 
halyards  to  make  sure  they  were  not  foul,  so  that 
he  could  pull  down  the  sail  in  an  instant,  if  neces 
sary. 

While  he  was  thus  engaged,  a  dull,  heavy  roar 
from  shoreward  attracted  his  attention.  It  increased 
in  volume,  and  seemed  to  travel  like  the  lightning. 
Levi  needed  no  second  warning,  but,  casting  off  the 
halyards,  hauled  down  the  sail  as  rapidly  as  though 
his  life  depended  upon  the  celerity  of  his  move 
ments  ;  and,  indeed,  it  did. 

The  squall  came  down  upon  the  boats  with  appall 
ing  speed  and  violence,  and  Levi  had  only  time  to 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  97 

adjust  a  couple  of  the  "  stops  "  on  his  mainsail  before 
it  struck  the  Flag,  and  she  careened  under  the  blast 
till  the  young  fisherman  began  to  fear  that  she 
would  go  over,  even  with  no  sail  upon  her.  It  was 
by  far  the  heaviest  squall  he  had  ever  seen,  amount 
ing  almost  to  a  tornado.  Levi  saw  that  the  heeling 
over  of  the  boat  was  caused  by  a  portion  of  the  sail 
taking  the  wind.  It  was  impossible  to  stand  tip,  so 
savage  was  the  tempest;  but  he  succeeded  in  loosen 
ing  the  topping  lift,  and  bringing  the  boom  down  so 
that  he  could  secure  the  truant  canvas. 

The  squall  continued  for  several  minutes,  —  they 
seemed  like  hours  to  the  young  boatman,  —  and 
terrific  were  the  roaring  and  howling  of  the  blast, 
the  crash  of  the  thunder,  and  the  blinding  glare  of 
the  lightning.  It  was  awful,  even  to  one  accustomed 
to  the  sea  when  the  elements  rage  in  their  wildest 
fury.  It  was  one  of  those  moments  when  nothing 
human  seems  to  be  abiding,  and  man  leans  upon 
the  arm  of  God,  who  manifests  His  power  and  His 
majesty  in  the  sublimity  of  the  fierce  tempest. 

The  squall  was  over  in  two  or  three  minutes,  but 
the  Storm  King  appeared  not  to  be  satisfied  with 
9 


98  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

the  tumult  he  had  created ;  and  though  the  terrific 
blast  subsided,  the  wind  still  blew  a  gale  from  the 
westward,  as  though  there  were  still  empty  chambers 
to  be  filled  by  the  cooling  currents.  As  the  tempest 
of  winds  subsided,  the  rain  began  to  pour  down  in 
torrents,  and  Levi's  Sunday  suit  was  soon  drenched. 
He  had  closed  up  his  cuddy  to  keep  it  dry ;  but  he 
dared  not  take  shelter  within,  lest  the  boat  should 
come  to  harm  for  the  want  of  a  lookout. 

"Help!   help!" 

The  cry  came  to  him  through  the  thick  mists 
formed  by  the  rain  near  the  surface  of  the  water. 
He  was  thinking  whether  the  schooner  boat  had 
weathered  the  squall,  when  these  appalling  sounds 
came  to  him  above  the  howling  of  the  gale.  By 
this  time  the  sea  had  been  lashed  into  fury,  and  the 
waves  were  covered  with  white  caps  and  flying 
spray. 

"  Help !  help ! "  came  the  wail  again  through  the 
blast  and  the  rain. 

It  might  have  been  repeated  twenty  times,  for 
until  a  moment  before,  the  voice,  if  it  had  been 
that  of  a  Stentor,  could  not  have  been  heard  above 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OP    CAPE    ANN.  09 

the  roar  of  the  storm.  The  Flag  was  now  leaping 
and  pitching  in  the  angry  sea,  occasionally  dipping 
in  the  water  over  her  wash-board,  while  the  spray 
dashed  furiously  upon  her  half  deck. 

A  cry  of  distress  touches  the  sailor's  heart,  and 
Levi  had  enough  of  the  spirit  of  the  true  seaman 
to  be  deeply  moved  by  the  summons;  but  the  tem 
pest  was  still  fearful,  and  it  was  little  better  than 
madness  for  him  to  hoist  his  mainsail. 

"  Help !  help ! "  again  came  the  tones  of  the  suf 
ferers  through  the  storm ;  and  this  time  it  sounded 
like  a  voice  from  a  sepulchre. 

Levi  could  not  resist  the  appeal,  for  he  felt  that 
it  would  be  better  to  die  in  a  noble  and  manly 
effort  to  save  his  fellow-beings  in  distress,  than  to 
lie  idly  by,  counting  up  the  perils  of  the  attempt. 
Taking  off  the  stops,  he  hastily  put  two  reefs  in  his 
mainsail,  though  the  work  was  not  accomplished 
until  the  hailing  cry  had  been  several  times  re 
peated.  With  much  doubt  and  anxiety  he  hoisted 
the  sail. 

The  wind  came  in  furious  blasts,  and  the  mainsail 
beat  and  threshed  as  though  it  were  part  of  the 


100  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

storm.  The  halyards,  carefully  secured,  and  the  ends 
coiled  down  so  that  they  would  not  foul  if  it  were 
again  necessary  suddenly  to  reduce  sail,  he  dodged 
the  swaying  boom,  and  reached  the  helm.  Hauling 
in  the  main  sheet,  the  wind  filled  the  sail,  heeling 
the  boat  over  till  the  water  rushed  in  over  the  lee 
side.  The  intrepid  young  skipper  "  eased  her  off"  a 
little,  and  she  righted ;  and  then  she  darted  off,  leap 
ing  over  the  wild  waves  as  if  in  utter  contempt  of 
their  impotent  fury. 

Levi  now  had  the  Flag  under  perfect  control,  and 
she  flew  towards  the  wreck  from  which  proceeded 
the  drowning  cry  of  the  two  men.  When  the  blast 
came  too  fresh,  he  eased  off  the  sheet,  giving  the 
sail  no  more  wind  than  it  could  safely  carry.  The 
boat  behaved  admirably,  lifting  herself  on  the  bil 
lows,  instead  of  plunging  her  nose  down  into  them. 

Levi  strained  his  eyes  to  catch  a  glimpse,  through 
the  dense  mists,  of  the  men  who  needed  his  assist 
ance  ;  but  he  was  quite  near  when  he  obtained  his 
first  view  of  them.  The  schooner  boat  had  been 
upset,  with  her  foresail  still  set.  She  was  full  of 
water,  though  she  had  partially  righted;  and  not 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OP    CAPE   ANN.  101 

being  heavily  ballasted,  she  did  not  go  down.  The 
foresail  was  flapping  madly  in  the  gale,  and  the  two 
men  were  clinging  to  the  wreck  for  their  lives. 

Levi  rounded  to  under  the  stern  of  the  disabled 
boat,  and  her  skipper,  seizing  the  bowsprit,  leaped 
on  board  the  Flag. 

"  Save  me !  save  me ! "  cried  the  constable,  in 
mortal  terror,  as  he  saw  the  Flag  fall  off,  and  drift 
out  of  his  reach. 

"  I'll  save  you,  Mr.  Gayles.  Hold  on  tight  for  a 
moment  longer ! "  shouted  Levi ;  and,  hauling  in  his 
main  sheet,  he  brought  the  Flag  up  again  until  the 
bowsprit  was  within  the  officer's  reach. 

"  God  bless  you,  Levi  Fail-field ! "  exclaimed  Mr. 
Gayles,  as  he  crawled  in  over  the  bow,  and  made 
his  way  to  the  standing-room.  "  You  have  saved 
my  life." 

"  I  always  pick  up  anything  I  find  adrift,"  replied 
Levi,  coolly. 

9* 


102  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 


CHAPTER  IX. 

AFTER   THE    SQUALL. 

THAT  was  a  pretty  tough  one  —  wasn't  it  ? " 
said  the  skipper  of  the  schooner  boat,  referring 
to  the  squall. 

"  It  was  the  hardest  blow  I  was  ever  out  in," 
replied  Levi.  "  I  don't  know  that  I  should  want  to 
try  that  over  again." 

"  I  shouldn't,  either ;  it  knocked  my  boat  over 
quicker  'n  a  flash  of  lightning  ;  I  was  rowing,  and 
didn't  mind  much  about  it  till  it  struck  us.  But  it's 
beginning  to  moderate." 

"  It  will  be  good  weather  pretty  soon  now  ;  I 
think  I  can  carry  my  sail  with  two  reefs,  and  I  shall 
stand  on." 

"  I  suppose  you  are  bound  to  Rockport,"  continued 
the  skipper,  glancing  at  the  constable. 

"  That's  where  I'm  going ;  I  suppose  you  are  going 
there  too,"  added  Levi. 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OP   CAPE    ANN.  103 

"  Well,  no ;  I  don't  know  as  I  need  to  go  there 
uow.  I  want  to  save  ,rny  boat,  if  you  ain't  in  no 
hurry.  I  can't  afford  to  lose  her." 

"  I'll  help  you,  if  you  like." 

"  Thank  you.    Mr.  Gayles  was  after  you  —  " 

"Never  mind  that  now,"  interposed  the  constable, 
who,  drenched  to  the  skin,  and  chilled  through,  sat 
on  the  weather  side  of  the  boat,  shivering  like  a 
man  with  the  ague. 

"  After  me ! "  exclaimed  Levi,  with  some  astonish 
ment. 

"I  wanted  to  see  you,"  explained  Mr.  Gayles; 
"but  it's  no  matter  now." 

Levi  did  not  understand  what  the  constable  could 
wish  to  see  him  for  ;  but  the  management  of  the 
boat  required  all  his  attention,  and  he  could  not 
press  the  question.  He  kept  the  Flag  "  off  and  on  " 
for  a  short  time,  till  the  wind  had  subsided  enough 
to  allow  the  skipper  to  board  his  water-logged  craft. 
The  black  clouds  blew  over  almost  as  rapidly  as 
they  had  come  up,  and  though  the  sea  was  still 
angry,  it  was  not  violent. 

The  Flag  was  run  up  to  the  wreck ;  Levi  and  the 


104  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

skipper  jumped  aboard,  while  Mr.  Gayles  was  in 
structed  to  stand  by  with  the  boat-hook  and  keep 
the  boats  from  jamming  each  other  in  the  sea.  The 
work  of  baling  out  the  schooner  boat  commenced 
with  a  bucket  and  a  two-quart  dipper  belonging  to 
the  Flag.  It  was  a  two  hours'  job,  but  the  exercise 
was  very  agreeable  in  the  chilled  state  of  the  woik- 
men.  As  the  operation  proceeded,  the  schooner  rose 
in  the  water,  and  the  skipper  was  the  most  grateful 
of  men  when  he  realized  that  both  his  boat  and  his 
life  were  preserved. 

"  Levi,  if  you  want  to  get  away  from  him,  I'll 
manage  it  for  you,"  said  the  skipper,  in  a  low  tone, 
when  the  water  in  the  boat  had  fallen  below  the 
thwarts. 

"  Get  away  from  him !  What  do  you  mean  ? " 
asked  Levi,  so  astonished  that  he  suspended  his 
work. 

"Why,  don't  you  know?" 

"I'm  sure  I  don't." 

"  They  gay  you  stole  the  money  to  buy  your 
boat." 

"  Stole  it ! "  gasped  Levi ;  "  I'm  sure  I  didn't." 


,        "    ",.'•';••.':•.•.,;  • 


THE    YOUNG    FISIIEKMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  10ft 

"I  don't  know  anything  about  it,  but  if  you  want 
to  get  rid  of  the  constable,  I'll  help  you  do  it. 
Hush!  don't  say  a  word,  or  he'll  hear  us." 

"  I  didn't  steal  the  money,  and  I  don't  want  to 
get  away  from  him.  Then  you  were  after  me  ?  1 
thought  you  only  wanted  to  race." 

"Well,  I  thought  I  could  beat  The  Starry  Flag." 

"  I  stole  the  money ! "  repeated  Levi,  who  under 
this  startling  accusation  had  lost  his  interest  in 
racing. 

"  I  hope  it  ain't  true,  Levi,"  added  the  sympa 
thizing  skipper. 

"It  is  not." 

"  I'll  get  Gayles  into  this  boat  as  soon  as  we  have 
baled  her  out,  and  then  you  may  go  where  you  like." 

"  I  shall  face  the  music ;  I  didn't  steal  the  money, 
and  I'm  not  afraid  of  any  of  them." 

"That's  right!     I  like  your  spunk." 

"  I'll  take  Mr.  Gayles  round  to  Rockport  in  my 
boat.  I  should  like  to  see  the  man  that  says  I  stole 
the  money." 

"  I  don't  know  nothing  about  it,  only  what  the 
constable  says.  He's  got  a  warrant  for  you." 


106  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"Has  he?     I  don't  understand  it." 

Levi  was  so  excited  and  indignant  that  he  could 
not  work  any  longer.  The  wind  had  subsided  to  a 
gentle  breeze,  the  dark  clouds  had  rolled  away,  and 
the  sun  was  struggling  out  from  the  black  mantle 
which  had  concealed  it.  The  skipper  volunteered  to 
complete  the  work  of  baling  out  the  boat  himself, 
and  to  release  the  Flag  from  further  attendance,  so 
that  she  could  proceed  on  her  way  round  the  cape. 

"  Who  says  I  stole  that  money,  Mr.  Gayles  ? " 
demanded  Levi,  as  he  returned  to  the  Flag. 

"  You  mustn't  blame  me,  Levi,  for  I  hadn't  any 
thing  to  do  with  it.  I'm  very  thankful  to  you  for 
saving  me,  and  I  don't  like  — " 

"But  who  says  I  stole  the  money?"  repeated 
Levi,  indignantly. 

"Your  uncle  and  Ruel  Belcher  both  say  so." 

"Well,  I  didn't." 

"I  don't  believe  you  did,  Levi." 

"I  know  I  didn't." 

"  I'll  tell  you  all  about  it  as  we  go  along.  Do 
you  think  it  is  safe  to  go  round  in  this  boat?" 
asked  the  constable,  as  he  glanced  at  the  retreating 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  107 

Clouds,  from  which  the  thunder  still  boomed  in  the 
distance. 

"  Safe  enough,"  replied  Levi,  commencing  mechani 
cally  to  shake  out  the  reefs  in  his  mainsail. 

The  Flag  had  taken  in  considerable  water  during 
the  squall  and  the  blow  that  followed  it,  which  Levi 
fcaled  out,  and  then  with  his  sponge  wiped  off  the 
seats  in  the  standing-room.  The  sun  soon  came  out 
clear,  and  dried  the  boat  so  that  she  was  clean  and 
comfortable.  Under  all  sail,  the  Flag  stood  on  her 
course  round  the  cape. 

"  I  don't  care  what  any  one  says ;  I  didn't  steal 
that  money,"  said  Levi,  when  he  had  put  the  boat 
in  order,  and  seated  himself  at  the  weather  side  of 
the  tiller. 

"  I  don't  know  anything  about  it  myself,  Levi," 
replied  Mr.  Gayles,  who  was  exceedingly  embarrassed 
by  the  awkwardness  of  his  position,  for  it  was  any 
thing  but  pleasant  for  him  to  arrest  the  young  man 
who  had  just  saved  his  life.  "  The  warrant  was 
given  to  me  with  orders  to  arrest  you.  I  am  almost 
tempted  to  let  you  go  now." 

"I  don't  want  you  to  let  me  go.    I  haven't  done 


108  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

anything ;  and  I  should  like  to  see  the  man  who 
says  I  stole  the  money." 

"I  hope  it  will  be  all  right  when  you  explain 
matters." 

"Are  you  going  to  put  me  in  jail?"  asked  Levi, 
with  a  shudder. 

"  You  needn't  be  alarmed,  Levi ;  I'll  see  that  you 
are  well  treated.  I'm  responsible  for  your  appearance 
before  the  justice,  and  I  think  you  and  I  can  arrange 
matters." 

"  Uncle  Nathan  and  Ruel  Belcher  say  I  stole  the 
money,"  added  Levi,  trying  to  think  what  possible 
foundation  there  was  for  such  a  charge. 

"That's  what  they  say." 

"  Whose  money  was  it  that  was  stolen  ?  " 

"Ruel  Belcher's." 

"  He  had  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  and  put  it 
under  his  pillow  when  he  went  to  bed." 

"  And  this  morning  it  was  gone,"  added  Mr. 
Gayles. 

"  Was  it  stolen  ? "  asked  Levi,  to  whom  this  intel 
ligence  was  all  new. 

"The  money  was  gone,  and  so  were  you.     It  was 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  109 

found  that  you  had  dressed  up  in  your  Sunday 
clothes,  and  gone  off  without  saying  a  word  to  any 
body." 

"  That's  true ;  but  I  didn't  take  Ruel's  money  — 
no,  I  wouldn't  do  that.  If  anybody  took  it,  it  was  — 
Well,  I  won't  say  that,  for  I  don't  know  anything 
about  it." 

He  was  going  to  mention  his  uncle's  name. 

"  When  it  was  found  that  you  didn't  come  home 
to  breakfast,  they  were  sure  you  had  the  money. 
Your  uncle  stuck  to  it  that  you  were  bad  enough  to 
do  such  a  thing,"  added  Mr.  Gayles. 

"  Perhaps  he  thinks  so ;  he  and  I  don't  agree 
very  well." 

"  No  one  is  much  surprised  at  that/'  said  the  con 
stable,  with  a  chilly  smile. 

"  But  I  wonder  what  did  become  of  Ruel's  money," 
mused  Levi. 

"  I  felt  pretty  sure  you  had  it,  Levi,  when  I  got 
over  to  Gloucester.  I  might  as  well  tell  you  the 
worst.  You  had  just  bought  this  boat  for  exactly 
the  sum  Ruel  had  lost,  as  Mr.  Hatch  told  me." 

"Didn't  he  tell  you  where  I  got  the  money?" 
10 


110  THE    STARRY    FLAG,   OB 

"  He  told  me  you  said  Mr.  Watson  gave  it  to  you 
for  saving  his  daughter;  but  when  I  saw  Dock  Vin 
cent  on  board  his  vessel,  he  said  Mr.  Watson  didn't 
give  you  anything ;  you  acknowledged  that  he 
didn't." 

Levi  then  told  Mr.  Gayles  the  simple  truth  in 
regard  to  the  whole  transaction. 

"  Uncle  Nathan  tried  to  get  my  money  away  from 
me  yesterday,  but  I  didn't  let  him  know  that  I  had 
the  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,"  he  continued.  "  I 
knew  he  wouldn't  let  me  buy  the  boat  if  I  did." 

"  Where  is  Mr.  Watson  now  ? "  asked  the  con 
stable. 

"He  went  off  to  Rye  Beach  yesterday,  just  as 
soon  as  they  came  out  of  the  water." 

"  We  want  him  as  a  witness :  he  can  make  the 
daylight  shine  through  this  matter  in  the  twinkling 
of  an  eye,"  added  the  officer,  now  fully  convinced 
that  his  bold  deliverer  was  innocent  of  the  foul 
charge. 

We  must  do  Mr.  Gayles  the  justice  to  say  that 
this  conclusion  was  highly  satisfactory  to  him. 

Levi,  confident  that  his  innocence  would  be  proved, 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE    ANN.  Ill 

was  very  cheerful,  and  even  laughed  as  he  thought 
of  the  confusion  which  awaited  his  uncle. 

The  wind  was  not  fresh  enough  for  a  quick  pas 
sage,  and  it  was  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  when 
The  Starry  Flag  reached  the  head  of  the  little  cove, 
where  the  dingy  dory  was  hauled  up  on  the  rocks. 
The  landing-place  was  near  the  house  of  uncle  Na 
than  ;  and  before  Levi  could  secure  the  Flag  at  her 
moorings,  he  was  seen  from  the  windows.  The  host 
and  the  guest  hastened  down  to  the  cove. 

"  You've  got  him ! "  said  Nathan  Fail-field,  with  a 
gleam  of  satisfaction  on  his  skinny  face,  as  he  glanced 
from  the  officer  to  his  nephew. 

"I  don't  know  whether  I've  got  him,  or  he's  got 
me,"  replied  Mr.  Gayles,  facetiously. 

"  Why  don't  you  hold  on  to  him,  and  put  the 
irons  onto  him  ? "  added  the  humane  guardian. 

"  I  shall  put  no  irons  on  that  boy,  you  may 
depend  upon  it." 

"  He's  a  bad  boy,  and  he'll  get  away  from  you, 
as  sure  as  you're  alive,"  protested  Mr.  Fail-field, 
"Whose  boat  is  that?" 


112  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OK 

"It  belongs  to  L«evi,"  replied  Mr.  Gayles.  "He 
went  over  to  Gloucester  this  morning  to  buy  her." 

"  With  the  money  he  stole ! "  exclaimed  the  guar 
dian. 

"  I  don't  think  he  stole  any  money." 

"Don't  you?"  sneered  Mr.  Fairfield.  "And  you 
say  he  bought  that  boat.  What  did  he  give  for  it  ?  " 

"  I  gave  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for  the 
boat ;  and  I  didn't  steal  the  money  to  do  it  with, 
either,"  interposed  Levi. 

"  Do  you  hear  that,  Ruel  ?  Now  you  can  see 
what  that  boy  is ! "  ejaculated  the  guardian. 

"  Where  did  you  get  the  money  to  pay  for  the 
boat?"  asked  Ruel. 

Levi  told  the  whole  story  about  the  two  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars  given  him,  or  rather  loaned,  for  the 
purchase  of  the  boat. 

"  I  don't  believe  a  word  on't ! "  exclaimed  uncle 
Nathan.  "  Tell  me !  I  know  better.  That  boy  stole 
the  money  from  under  your  pillow,  Ruel ! " 

"  I  hope  he  tells  the  truth,"  replied  Ruel. 

"I  know  he  don't,"  protested  Mr.  Fairfield.  "Mr. 
Gayles,  why  don't  you  take  him  up  ?  " 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  113 

"  Come,  Levi,  we  will  walk  up  town,  if  you  are 
ready,"  said  the  constable  in  a  gentle  and  respectful 
tone. 

"  I'm  ready,"  replied  Levi ;  and  he  walked  off  with 
Mr.  Gayles,  to  the  great  indignation  of  his  uncle,  who 
seemed  to   think  he   ought  to  be   put  in  irons  and 
dragged  up  to  the  bar  of  justice. 
10* 


114  THE    STAEKY   FLAG,   OB 


CHAPTER  X. 

DOCK  VINCENT'S  LITTLE  PLAN. 

WHAT  are  you  going  to  do  with  me,  Mr. 
Gayles?"  asked  Levi,  as  he  walked  up  the 
road  with  the  constable. 

"  If  you  hadn't  saved  my  life  to-day,  I  should  put 
you  in  the  lock-up." 

"  I  don't  know  that  I  saved  your  life.  You  would 
have  done  well  enough  as  long  as  you  held  on  to 
the  boat.  But  what  I  did  needn't  make  any  differ 
ence,"  added  Levi.  "  You  can  put  me  in  jail,  if  you 
like." 

"But  I  don't  like." 

"I'm  not  afraid  of  a  jail.  I  haven't  done  any 
thing." 

"I  shall  not  put  you  in  jail,  Levi.  I  must  take 
you  before  a  justice  to-morrow,  when  you  will  be 
examined." 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  115 

"Well,  what  then?"  asked  Levi,  curiously. 

"  If  there  is  evidence  enough  to  hold  you,  the  jus 
tice  will  commit  you  for  trial?" 

"What  then?" 

"You  will  be  tried  before  the  court  next  week." 

"What  do  you  mean  by  commit  me?" 

"Commit  you  to  jail  to  await  your  trial;  but  you 
can  give  bail." 

"Perhaps  I  can,"  replied  Levi,  musing;  "but  I 
think  my  uncle  would  let  me  lie  in  jail  a  year  be 
fore  he  would  risk  any  money  on  me." 

"I  will  see  about  your  bail,  Levi;  but  I  hope 
there  will  be  no  need  of  any.  If,  at  your  examina 
tion  before  the  justice  to-morrow,  you  can  prove  to 
his  satisfaction  that  you  came  honestly  by  the  money 
you  paid  for  the  boat,  you  will  be  discharged." 

"Perhaps  I  can't  prove  it.  Mr.  Watson  went 
away  yesterday  morning." 

"Do  you  know  where  he  went?" 

"To  Rye  Beach." 

"That  matter  must  be  attended  to  at  once,"  said 
Mr.  Gayles,  as  they  reached  his  house.  "Come 
in,  Levi." 


116  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"Is  this  the  lock-up?"  asked  Lcvi,  with  a  sickly 
smile. 

"This  is  all  the  lock-up  I  shall  take  you  to;  I 
am  responsible  for  your  safe  keeping." 

"I  won't  run  away,  Mr.  Gayles,"  protested  the 
prisoner.  "I'm  going  to  stand  up  and  face  the 
music." 

"I'm  satisfied,  Levi.  We  will  make  you  as  com 
fortable  as  we  can  here,"  added  the  constable,  as 
they  entered  the  house. 

Mr.  Gayles  told  his  wife,  as  briefly  as  he  could, 
what  had  happened  since  he  left  home  in  the  morn 
ing;  and  the  young  fisherman  was  as  welcome  be 
neath  that  humble  roof  as  though  he  had  been  the 
President,  or  the  richest  man  in  Rockport.  He  was 
treated  like  an  honored  guest,  and  not  like  a  crim 
inal.  While  Mrs.  Gayles  was  cooking  some  ham  and 
eggs  for  the  dinner  of  the  wanderers  from  the  sea, 
the  officer  drew  from  Levi  all  the  latter  knew  in 
regard  to  Mr.  Watson.  It  was  absolutely  necessary 
that  the  attendance  of  the  rich  Boston  merchant 
should  be  procured  for  the  examination  on  the  fol 
lowing  day,  for  he  was  the  only  person  by  whom  it 


THE    YOUNG   FISHEIIMAN   OP   CAPE    ANN.  117 

could  be  proved  where  Levi  obtained  the  money  to 
purchase  the  boat. 

"I  have  some  money,  Mr.  Gayles  —  twenty-one 
dollars.  I'll  hand  it  over  to  you,  and  I  want  you 
to  do  everything  that  needs  to  be  done  for  me," 
continued  Levi,  as  he  gave  him  his  wallet. 

"Do  you  want  counsel?" 

"Counsel?" 

"A  lawyer,  to  do  the  talking  for  you?" 

"Just  as  you  think  best." 

"  I  will  see  about  that  to-morrow.  A  good  lawyer 
would  be  a  great  help  to  you;  but  if  we  can  get 
Mr.  Watson  here,  I  don't  think  we  shall  need  one." 

After  dinner,  Mr.  Gayles  left  the  house,  to  send  a 
special  messenger  to  Rye  for  Mr.  Watson.  When  he 
had  gone,  Ruel  Belcher  called  to  see  the  prisoner. 

"  Well,  Levi,  I'm  sorry  for  this  business,"  said  Ruel. 

"It  will  come  out  all  right;  you  may  be  sure  of 
that.  I'm  only  sorry  you  think  I  stole  your  money," 
replied  Levi. 

"I  didn't  want  to  think  so." 

"I  suppose  uncle  Nathan  tried  hard  to  make  you 
believe  it." 


118  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OR 

"While  I  hope  you  didn't  do  it,  Levi,  I  must  say 
I  think  it  looks  bad  for  you." 

"Maybe  it  does." 

"You  got  up  this  morning,  and  went  off  without 
saying  a  word  to  anybody.  You  put  on  your  best 
clothes;  and  when  I  got  up,  my  money  was  gone. 
Now,  it  seems  you  have  bought  a  boat  for  two  hun 
dred  and  fifty  dollars — just  the  sum  I  lost." 

"But  it  wasn't  your  money,"  added  Levi,  warmly. 
"  Don't  I  say  it  was  given  to  me  by  Mr.  Watson  — 
or  rather  lent  to  me  —  on  purpose  to  buy  that 
boat?" 

"  We  don't  know  anything  about  Mr.  Watson. 
Just  when  we  want  to  see  him,  we  find  he  has  gone 
away." 

"  He  has  gone  away,  but  he  will  be  here  again  to 
morrow,  I  hope." 

"I  don't  like  to  be  hard  upon  you,  Levi,  for  I 
always  rather  liked  you,  and  you  have  had  a  hard 
row  to  hoe  with  your  uncle;  but  it  looks  to  me  just 
as  though  you  made  up  this  story  to  show  where 
you  got  the  money." 

"  I  did  get  the  money  of  Mr.  Watson." 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN   OF    CAPE    ANN.  119 

"  But  you  told  your  uncle  he  gave  you  but  ten 
dollars  for  the  dog-fish  you  lost." 

"  That's  all  he  gave  me ;  he  lent  me  the  two  hun 
dred  and  fifty  dollars." 

"That's  a  pretty  story!  Do  you  mean  to  tell  me 
a  rich  merchant,  like  Mf.  Watson,  would  lend  a  boy, 
like  you,  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars?"  continued 
Ruel  Belcher,  sternly. 

"  I  mean  to  say  that  is  just  what  he  did  do,"  re 
plied  Levi,  decidedly. 

"Did  you  give  him  your  note?"  sneered  Ruel. 

"  No,  I  didn't ;  he  was  in  a  hurry  to  go,  and  I  had 
no  time." 

"Why  didn't  you  tell  of  it  last  night?" 

"I  knew  better  than  that.  Uncle  Nathan  would 
have  taken  it  away  from  me." 

"He  will  do  that  now." 

"Mr.  Watson  let  me  have  the  money  to  buy  thai 
boat." 

"Who  sold  you  the  boat?" 

"Mr.  Hatch  —  and  a  nice  man  he  is  too." 

"  So  they  say ;  and  I  suppose  he  will  give  back ' 
the  money  you  paid  him  for  the  boat." 


1-0  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"Give  it  back!"  exclaimed  Levi,  almost  paralyzed 
at  the  thought  of  losing  The  Starry  Flag.  "I  don't 
want  him  to  do  that!" 

"It  don't  make  any  difference  whether  you  do  or 
not.  Your  uncle  started  right  off  for  Gloucester  to 
get  the  money  back  as  soon  as  you  were  taken  up." 

"Did  he?"  said  Levi,  bitterly. 

"You  can  set  your  mind  at  rest  about  the  boat, 
Levi ;  for  your  uncle,  as  your  guardian,  won't  let  you 
buy  her." 

"I  have  bought  her,  and  she  is  mine." 

"It's  no  use  for  you  to  talk  in  that  way,  Levi.  I 
don't  think  there's  any  sense  or  reason  in  a  boy  like 
you  owning  a  boat  that  costs  so  much  money." 

"  I  think  I'm  able  to  keep  as  good  a  boat  as 
that." 

"  That  may  be :  when  you  are  of  age,  you  can  do 
what  you  like  with  your  money;  but  you  won't  have 
that  boat,"  replied  Ruel.  "Levi,  this  matter  don't 
look  right.  The  best  thing  you  can  do  is  to  make 
a  clean  breast  of  it." 

"I've  told  the  truth.  I  haven't  got  your  money, 
Mid  I  haven't  had  it." 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  121 

"Where  is  it,  then?" 

"I  don't  know." 

"Do  you  think  your  uncle  took  it?" 

"I  don't  know  anything  about  it." 

Ruel  could  make  nothing  of  the  prisoner,  and  he 
went  away,  rather  confirmed  than  otherwise  in  his 
belief  that  Levi  had  stolen  the  money. 

In  the  evening,  while  Mr.  Gayles  was  out,  Dock 
Vincent,  who  was  loading  his  vessel  at  Gloucester, 
and  had  come  home  to  spend  the  night,  paid  the  pris 
oner  a  visit.  He  was  very  anxious  to  see  Levi  alone, 
and  they  met  in  the  constable's  little  parlor.  The  young 
fisherman  could  not  imagine  what  Dock  wanted  of 
him;  and  he  could  not  help  calling  to  mind  the 
threats  the  reckless  skipper  had  used  on  board  the 
Griffin  that  morning.  Dock  had  declared  that  he  was 
Levi's  enemy ;  and  to  the  young  man  it  did  not  seem 
as  though  they  could  have  any  business  together. 

"Well,  Levi,  you  have  got  into  a  bad  scrape," 
said  Dock. 

"Perhaps  I  have." 

"  You  will  be  lucky  if  you  get  off  with  six  months 
in  the  House  of  Correction.     It  looks  bad  for  you." 
11 


122  THE    STARRY   FLAG,    OR 

"It  will  look  all  right  when  Mr.  Watson  comes," 
replied  Levi,  cheerfully. 

"Is  he  coming  back?"  asked  Dock,  apparently  a 
little  startled  by  the  intelligence. 

"  We  expect  him." 

"Perhaps  he  will  come,  Levi;  but  in  my  opinion 
he  won't." 

"What  makes  you  think  he  won't?"  asked  Levi, 
anxiously. 

"  Why  should  he  ?  What  do  you  suppose  he  cares 
for  you?  He's  a  mean  man." 

"I  don't  think  so." 

"Well,  no  matter  about  that,  Levi.  I'm  a  witness 
in  this  case ;  and  I  think  it  depends  more  upon  what 
I  say  than  it  does  upon  what  anybody  else  says.  I 
can  get  you  out  of  this  scrape  quicker  than  you  can 
say  Jack  Roberson." 

"How?" 

"Never  mind  that  now,"  replied  Dock,  with  a 
knowing  nod  of  the  head.  "  And  a  word  from  me  will 
send  you  to  the  House  of  Correction  for  six  months." 

"  I  only  want  you  to  tell  the  truth,"  added  Levi, 
again  recalling  the  threat  of  Dock. 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE    ANN.         128 

"  That's  what  I  expect  to  do,  but  it  will  spoil  your 
case.  I  suppose  you  remember  what  you  said  to  me 
off  Eastern  Point,  this  morning." 

"What  was  it?" 

"That  Mr.  Watson  didn't  give  you  anything  for 
saving  his  daughter.  That's  right  from  your  own 
mouth,  Levi,  and  it's  the  truth,  too." 

Levi  had  said  so  to  Dock  and  to  his  uncle;  and, 
if  Mr.  Watson  did  not  come  to  the  examination, 
their  evidence  would  certainly  condemn  him. 

"  But  I  told  you  Mr.  Watson  lent  me  the  money," 
said  Levi. 

"  Lent  it  to  you ! "  laughed  Dock.  "  I  say,  Levi,  I 
wouldn't  say  a  word  about  his  lending  the  money 
to  you.  No  one  will  believe  it  if  you  do." 

Levi  was  really  afraid  no  one  would  believe  it, 
and  he  could  not  help  being  deeply  depressed  by  the 
situation,  for  his  own  words  were  to  be  brought  up 
to  condemn  him. 

"  Levi,  you  did  me  an  ill  turn  yesterday,  and  I 
shall  have  a  chance  to  get  even  with  you  to-mor- 
rpw,"  continued  Dock,  satisfied  with  the  effect  he  had 
already  produced. 


124  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"Then  you  mean  to  give  evidence  against  me," 
replied  Levi,  gloomily. 

"That  will  depend  upon  circumstances.  I  suppose 
you  didn't  know  I  saw  Mr.  Watson  give  you  the 
two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars?" 

"Did  you?" 

"  Nobody  knows  anything  about  it  if  I  did ;  but  you 
remember  I  joined  you  at  the  cove,  just  after  Mr. 
Watson  and  his  daughter  went  up  to  the  house. 
You  didn't  see  me,  but  perhaps  I  was  within  ear 
shot  of  you  when  you  were  talking  with  him,  and 
perhaps  I  heard  all  you  said  about  borrowing  the 
money." 

"  Did  you  hear  it,  Captain  Dock  ?  "  demanded  Levi, 
eagerly. 

"I  didn't  say  I  did,  and  I  didn't  say  I  didn't; 
but  you  know  I  wasn't  a  mile  off  while  you  were 
talking  together." 

"All  I  want  is  the  truth." 

"  It  is  true  that  you  told  me  Watson  gave  you 
nothing.  I  can  swear  to  that  in  court,  or  perhaps  — 
I  don't  say  I  can  or  can't ;  perhaps  I  can  swear  Wat 
son  did  let  you  have  the  money.  I  spoke  to  you 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  125 

something  about  a  little  plan  of  mine,  by  which  both 
of  us  can  make  a  heap  of  money.  Now,  if  you 
hdll  —  " 

"  I  know  what  you  are  going  to  say ;  and  I  won't 
have  anything  to  do  with  your  plans." 

"Don't  be  in  a  hurry,  Levi.  I  can  prevent  Mr. 
Watson  from  coming  here.  If  you  will  help  me 
through  with  my  little  plan,  I  am  your  friend,  and 
I  will  get  you  out  of  this  scrape.  I  can  do  it.  If 
you  won't,  why,  you  shall  go  to  the  House  of  Cor 
rection  as  sure  as  my  name  is  Dock  Vincent." 

"Well,  I  wont'!"  protested  Levi,  sturdily.  "I 
would  go  to  the  House  of  Correction  for  life  be 
fore  I  would  have  anything  to  do  with  you  or 
your  little  plan." 

"All  right,"   replied  Dock,  angrily,  as  he   took  his 
hat,  and  left  the  house. 
11* 


126  THE    STARRY    FLAG,   OB 


CHAPTER  XI. 

LEVl's    CHAMBER. 

LEVI  felt  relieved  when  Dock  Vincent  had  left 
him,  for  it  was  not  pleasant  to  think  that  so 
vile  a  man  considered  him  capable  of  a  base  and 
mean  act.  He  had  still  no  idea  of  what  Dock  meant 
by  his  "little  plan,"  except  that  it  was  a  means  of 
extorting  money  from  Mr.  Watson.  The  worst  he 
could  conceive  of  was,  that  the  two  who  had  saved 
father  and  daughter  were  to  present  a  joint  claim 
for  an  increased  reward ;  and  this  was  bad  enough  to 
kindle  the  young  fisherman's  indignation.  He  had 
spoken  squarely  and  decidedly,  refusing  to  have  any 
thing  to  do  with  any  "little  plan;"  and  he  felt 
better  after  he  had  done  so. 

Mr.  Gayles  had  sent  a  special  messenger  to  Rye 
to  procure  the  attendance  of  Mr.  Watson  at  the  ex 
amination  on  the  following  day,  and  Levi  hoped  that 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  127 

anything  Dock  and  his  uncle  might  say  would  not 
injure  him;  but  he  could  not  help  thinking  what  an 
amount  of  mischief  these  two  men  might  do  him, 
since  both  of  them  wished  to  injure  him. 

At  a  latw  hour  in  the  evening,  uncle  Nathan,  who 
had  been  to  Gloucester  to  recover  the  money  paid 
for  The  Starry  Flag,  called  upon  his  ward.  The  old 
gentleman  was  in  a  very  unhappy  frame  of  mind,  and, 
as  may  well  be  supposed,  he  did  not  come  to  con 
dole  with  the  prisoner.  He  had  actually  expended 
thirty  cents  in  railroad  fares,  but  had  not  accom 
plished  his  purpose.  Mr.  Hatch  declared  that  he 
had  given  a  bill  of  sale  of  the  Flag,  and  when 
that  and  the  boat  were  returned  to  him,  he  would 
restore  the  money.  Mr.  Fail-field  had  spent  thirty 
cents  for  nothing,  and  though  his  ward  would  doubt 
less  have  to  pay  it,  he  was  angry  at  the  awful 
waste. 

"Levi,  I've  been  to  Gloucester  —  paid  out  thirty 
cents,"  began  uncle  Nathan,  sourly. 

"I  didn't  ask  you  to  go,"  replied  Levi 

"But  your  carryins  on  made  me  go." 

"What  did  you  go  for?" 


128  THE    STABKY    FLAG,    OB 

"For  the  money  you  stole  —  " 

"I  didn't  steal  it,"  interrupted  the  prisoner. 

"Don't  tell  me!" 

"I  shall  tell  you  the  truth,  and  when  the  time 
comes  I  shall  prove  what  I  say." 

"  No  matter  whether  you  stole  it  or  not ;  you  ain't 
a  goin  to  fool  away  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  on 
no  boat,  nor  nothin  o'  that  sort  —  not  while  I  have 
my  senses  about  me,"  said  the  guardian,  warmly. 
"I  want  you  to  give  me  the  bill  for  that  boat." 

"I  haven't  got  it,"  replied  Levi. 

It  was  in  the  wallet  which  he  had  given  to  the 
constable. 

"Don't  tell  me!"  exclaimed  uncle  Nathan,  rising 
from  his  chair,  perhaps  surprised  that  Levi's  misfor 
tunes  had  not  yet  broken  his  spirit,  and  angry  at 
this  appearance  of  opposition.  "Mr.  Hatch  gin  you 
the  bill,  and  I  want  it." 

"I  say  I  haven't  got  it,"  repeated  Levi.  "Do  you 
think  I  would  lie  about  it?" 

"Lie  about  it!  You've  told  lies  enough  now  to 
ruin  your  soul.  What  have  you  done  with  the  bill 
of  sale?" 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OP    CAPE   ANN.  129 

"Mr.  Gayles  has  it." 

While  uncle  Nathan  was  still  raving  about  the 
bill,  the  constable  came  in,  and  the  irate  guardian 
demanded  the  important  document  of  him. 

"Don't  give  it  to  him,  Mr.  Gayles,"  said  Levi, 
quietly. 

"  I  have  no  intention  of  doing  so,"  added  the  offi 
cer.  "This  bill  may  be  wanted  at  the  trial,  and  I 
shall  hold  on  to  it." 

"Mr.  Gayles,  I'm  that  boy's  guardeen,  and  I  want 
that  bill.  I  want  to  git  back  the  money  the  boy 
stole." 

"Perhaps  he  didn't  steal  it,"  quietly  suggested 
Mr.  Gayles. 

"  But  he  did  steal  it  —  don't  tell  me !  " 

"When  it  is  proved  that  he  did,  it  will  be  my 
duty  to  return  the  boat  to  Mr.  Hatch,  and  reclaim 
the  money  paid  for  it." 

"Have  you  an  idee  it  won't  be  proved,  Mr. 
Gayles?"  demanded  Mr.  Fail-field. 

"  In  my  opinion  Levi  will  get  clear.     I  don't  think 
he  stole  the  money." 
'  "Who  did  steal  it  then?" 


130  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OB 

"  I  don't  know." 

"  The  money  was  stole ;  that  boy  went  off  and 
paid  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for  a  boat  that 
very  morning.  Can  you  put  them  two  things  to 
gether,  Mr.  Gayles?" 

"  They  don't  prove  that  Levi  stole  that  money," 
replied  the  constable  ;  but  he  could  not  help  confessing 
to  himself  that  the  boy's  position  was  a  trying  one. 

"Do  you  believe  Ruel  Belcher  lost  any  money?'' 
asked  Mr.  Fairfield. 

"I  have  no  doubt  he  did." 

"Then  who  took  it?  Nobody  got  into  the  house 
that  didn't  belong  there," 

"Levi  is  going  to  prove  that  Mr.  Watson  let  him 
have  the  money  he  paid  for  the  boat.  I  have  sent 
a  man  to  Rye  on  purpose  for  him,"  added  the  con 
stable.  , 

"  Then  who  took  Ruel's  money  ?  *  demanded  the 
miser,  blankly. 

"  I  think  you  ought  to  know  better  than  I,"  replied 
Mr.  Gayles,  with  suggestive  emphasis. 

"Creation!  Do  you  mean  to  say  that  )  took  it?" 
exclaimed  Mr.  Fairfield. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  131 

UI  didn't  say  so;  but  I  hear  that  you  went  into 
the  room  where  Ruel  and  Levi  slept,  after  they  had 
gone  to  sleep." 

"I'm  that  boy's  guardeen;  I  went  into  the  room 
to  git  his  money,  not  Ruel's,  but  I  didn't  git  any 
thing." 

"You  know  best,  Mr.  Fairfield;  but  I  think  you 
had  better  not  be  too  hard  on  the  boy." 

"Hard  on  him!  I've  taken  care  o'  that  boy  jest 
as  if  he'd  been  my  own  son.  I've  looked  out  for 
him,  and  seen  to  his  money,  jest  as  if  it  was  my 
own,  and  —  " 

"That's  so,"  interrupted  Levi. 

"  You  see  how  he  treats  me  fur  all  I've  done 
for  him.  .  Why,  he  fit  me  yisterday  like  a  wildcat. 
I  can't  do  nothin  with  him,  and  he  must  be  seen 
to.  I  want  the  boy  to  behave  himself — that's  all. 
Now,  he's  been  stealin." 

"Not  proved,  Mr.  Fail-field." 

"It's  jest  as  clear  to  me  as  the  nose  on  your  face." 

Mr.  Gayles  had  a  long  nose. 

"  Perhaps  it  is.  Does  Mr.  Belcher  know  what  bills 
Captain  Dock  paid  him?" 


132  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"  Of  course  he  does ;  a  man  like  him  don't  take 
hundred-dollar  bills  without  lookin  at  em." 

"  Very  well ;  Mr.  Belcher  will  swear  that  he  lost 
bills  on  a  certain  bank ;  if  Mr.  Hatch  swears  that  he 
received  the  same  bills  from  Levi,  then  a  case  may 
be  made  out  against  the  boy. 

"Just  so,"  added  uncle  Nathan,  rather  vacantly; 
and  as  nothing  was  to  be  made  by  prolonging  his 
visit,  he  left  the  house,  and  went  home. 

Nathan  Fail-field  was  a  miser.  Money  was  his 
only  joy  in  this  world;  and  he  loved  it  so  well  that 
he  thought  little  of  the  next  world.  Lcvi's  property 
amounted  to  over  ten  thousand  dollars,  for  the  in 
terest  more  than  paid  even  the  exorbitant  charges 
of  the  guardian  for  the  ward's  support.  He  wanted 
this  money.  He  had  not  the  patience  to  think  of 
twelve  or  fourteen  thousand  dollars  falling  into  the 
hands  of  a  young  man  like  Levi,  who  had  "no  idee 
of  the  vally  of  money." 

Perhaps  he  did  not  clearly  and  distinctly  wish  that 
Levi  would  die ;  or,  if  he  did,  he  was  not  willing  to 
acknowledge  as  much  even  to  himself;  but  he  could 
not  help  thinking  how  much  better  it  would  be  if 


THE    YOU^G   FISHERMAN    OF    CA^E    AXX.  13u 

the  fortune  should  come  to  one  who  knew  how  to 
keep  it.  With  this  thought  in  his  mind,  where  it 
often  was,  he  entered  the  kitchen  of  his  home,  where 
Ruel  and  Mrs.  Fail-field  were  seated. 

If  the  guardian  did  not  allow  himself  to  believe 
that  he  wished  for  the  conviction  of  his  ward,  it  was 
none  the  less  true  that  he  did  wish  it.  The  boy 
was  high-spirited;  the  House  of  Correction  would 
break  him  down;  the  disgrace  might  even  kill  him, 
and  Mr.  Fairfield,  as  the  only  brother  of  Levi's  de 
ceased  father,  would  inherit  his  property.  What  the 
constable  had  said  about  the  identity  of  the  bills  dis 
turbed  him.  Levi  might  escape ;  if  he  did  he  would 
be  more  stubborn  and  disobedient  than  ever. 

"Did  you  notice  the  bills  that  Captain  Dock  paid 
you,  Ruel?"  asked  Mr.  Fairfield,  as  he  seated  him 
self  in  a  broken  chair. 

"Of  course  I  did,"  replied  Ruel;  and  he  named 
the  banks  by  which  the  bills  had  been  issued. 
"  On  one  of  the  hundred-dollar  bills  there  was  a 
great  blot  of  ink,  something  in  the  shape  of  half 
a  star,  after  the  cashier's  name,  as  though  the  pen 
had  snapped  as  he  finished  writing." 
12 


134  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OB 

"Then  you'd  know  the  bills  if  you  see  'em?" 

"  I  should  know  that  one,  aad  I  think  I  should  the 
others." 

"  Bless  me !  There's  another  shower  comin  up ! " 
exclaimed  the  matron,  as  a  heavy  peal  of  thunder 
startled  her. 

The  conversation  continued  for  half  an  hour,  when 
the  rain  began  to  fall  in  torrents.  Mrs.  Fairfield  said 
the  windows  in  Levi's  room  were  open,  and  wished 
her  husband  to  go  up  and  close  them.  He  lighted 
a  lamp  and  went  up  stairs  for  this  purpose.  As  he 
entered  the  chamber,  the  wind  began  to  blow  in  a 
fierce  squall,  as  it  had  in  the  forenoon  of  that  day. 
He  closed  the  windows,  and  was  about  to  descend 
the  stairs,  when  he  heard  a  sharp  rattling  in  the 
chimney. 

Like  everything  else  about  the  house,  the  chimney 
was  in  a  state  of  dilapidation.  Two  or  three  bricks 
had  been  detached  by  the  fierce  wind  from  the  top, 
and  had  tumbled  down  the  flue  into  the  room.  Mr. 
Fairfield  returned  to  ascertain  the  extent  of  the  dam 
age,  fearful  that  he  might  be  compelled  to  employ 
a  mason  for  a  few  hours  to  repair  it;  and  he  had 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  135 

paid  out  so  much  money  for  steaks  from  the  "under 
side  of  the  round "  that  he  felt  almost  impoverished. 
The  thirty  cents  he  had  expended  in  railroad  fares 
also  stung  him  at  that  moment. 

He  pulled  down  the  fireboard,  and  saw  the  bricks 
lying  upon  the  hearth  of  the  large,  old-fashioned  fire 
place.  On  the  top  of  them  lay  an  object  which 
challenged  all  his  attention,  and  he  forgot  the  storm, 
and  even  the  falling  chimney. 

It  was  Ruel's  wallet ! 

With  eager  hand  he  picked  it  up.  It  contained 
three  bills  —  two  one  hundreds  and  a  fifty.  He  was 
amazed  and  bewildered  by  the  sight.  He  examined 
the  bills ;  on  one  of  them  was  the  blot  in  the  shape 
of  half  a  star,  which  Ruel  had  mentioned.  "Without 
a  doubt,  this  was  the  money  his  brother-in-law  had 
lost.  Levi  was  innocent  —  he  had  not  stolen  the 
wallet. 

"Husband!  what's  the  matter?"  called  Mrs.  Fair- 
field,  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs.  "What's  that  noise?" 

She  had  heard  the  fall  of  the  bricks,  and  perhaps 
feared  her  husband  had  been  struck  by  them. 

"Nothin;    only  a   few  bricks   fell   down   chimney," 


136  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

replied  Mr.  Fairfield,  hastily  thrusting  the  wallet  into 
his  pocket. 

He  went  down  stairs,  and,  having  satisfied  his  wife 
that  the  old  house  had  not  "  caved  in,"  he  seated 
himself  in  the  broken  chair  again,  and,  leaving  Mrs. 
Fail-field  and  her  brother  to  continue  their  conversa 
tion,  he  proceeded  to  consider  the  discovery  he  had 
just  made. 

How  came  that  money  in  the  chimney?  It  had 
been  concealed  there  by  somebody,  and  the  falling 
bricks  had  jostled  it  from  its  hiding-place.  Who  put 
it  there?  Not  Ruel:  he  would  not  hide  his  own 
money.  He  would  not  cheat  himself  out  of  two  hun 
dred  and  fifty  dollars.  Mr.  Fairfield  did  not  hide  it 
himself.  Of  course,  then,  it  must  have  been  Lcvi; 
no  one  else  could  have  done  it. 

Mr.  Fairfield  was  roused  from  his  brown  study  at 
half  past  ten,  and  reminded  that  it  was  time  to  go 
to  bed.  He  went  to  bed.  The  next  morning  he  took 
the  first  train  for  Gloucester,  apparently  heedless  of 
the  expense,  though  the  thirty  cents  must  have 
galled  him  like  a  thorn  in  his  flesh. 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF    CAPE    ANN.  137 


CHAPTER  XII. 

LBVI   MAKES   A    SPEECH. 

HOW  a  man  who  has  lived  threescore  years, 
and  stands  almost  in  sight  of  the  open  grave, 
can  love  money,  as  Nathan  Fairfield  loved  it,  is  be 
yond  our  comprehension.  He  had  found  Ruel's 
money,  for  the  stealing  of  which  Levi  was  at  least 
in  danger  of  being  sent  to  the  House  of  Correction. 
He  was  entirely  satisfied  that  Levi  had  stolen  the 
wallet,  and  concealed  it  in  the  chimney;  for  it  was 
not  possible,  in  his  opinion,  that  any  one  else  could 
have  taken  it. 

But  it  was  equally  clear  to  him  that  Levi  had  not 
used  Ruel's  money  for  the  purchase  of  The  Starry 
Flag.  He  concluded  that  the  wretched  youth  had 
hidden  it  in  the  chimney  for  future  use,  after  the 
storm,  following  the  loss  of  the  bills,  had  blown  over. 
It  was  quite  proper  that  Levi  should  be  convicted, 
12* 


138  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

for  he  was  guilty ;  and  the  guardian  was  determined 
to  "break  him  down."  lie  actually  hated  his  ward 
for  having  a  will  of  his  own,  and  he  was  determined 
to  have  him  convicted,  if  possible. 

Mr.  Fail-field  hastened  to  the  wharf  where  the 
boat-builder's  shop  was  located,  as  soon  as  the  train 
reached  Gloucester.  The  examination  of  Levi  was 
to  take  place  at  eleven  o'clock,  and  Mr.  Hatch  had 
been  summoned  to  appear  as  a  witness ;  but  the 
guardian  found  him  at  the  shop. 

"Mr.  Hatch,  I  come  over  to  see  you  agin  about 
that  boat  business,"  said  Mr.  Fairfield,  after  they 
had  passed  the  usual  salutations.  "I  want  to  know 
sunthin  more  about  it." 

"  It's  bad  business ;  but  I  hope  the  boy  didn't  steal 
the  money,"  replied  the  boat-builder. 

"  I  hope  he  didn't ;  but  I  know  he  did,"  added  the 
visitor,  whose  hypocrisy  was  no  match  for  his  malice. 
*'  Have  you  got  them  bills  the  boy  paid  you,  Mr. 
Hatch  ?  " 

"  I  have ;  I  wanted  to  pay  the  money  away,  but 
I  couldn't  do  ,it  while  there  was  likely  to  be  any 
trouble  about  it." 


THE    YOUXG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  139 

"  I  wish  you'd  jest  let  me  look  at  them  bills.  I'll 
give  'em  right  back  to  you.  Do  you  know  what 
bank  they're  on  ? " 

"  No,  I  didn't  mind ;  I  only  looked  at  the  figures," 
replied  Mr.  Hatch,  as  he  took  out  his  pocket-book, 
and  handed  the  bills  to  Mr.  Fairfield. 

"I  ruther  think  I've  got  a  clew  to  this  business," 
said  the  guardian,  as  he  took  the  bills  and  fumbled 
in  his  pocket  for  his  spectacles.  "  I  was  talking  to 
my  brother-in-law  last  night  about  the  bills ;  he  looked 
at  'em,  and  knows  jest  what  they  was." 

Mi-.  Fairfield,  with  no  little  agitation  and  excite 
ment  in  his  manner,  put  on  his  spectacles  and  opened 
the  roll  of  bills  he  held  in  his  hand. 

"Are  those  the  bills  your  brother-in-law  lost?" 
asked  Mr.  Hatch,  much  interested  in  the  result  of 
the  investigation. 

"Fact!  I  don't  know's  I  can  tell  now;  but  Ruel 
knows  all  about  it,"  replied  Mr.  Fail-field,  as  he  re 
turned  the  bills. 

"  What  did  you  want  to  see  the  bills  for,  if  you 
don't  know  them  when  you  Bee  them?"  asked  Mr. 
Hatch. 


140  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OR 

"I  was  comin  over  to  Gloshter  this  mornin,  and  ] 
thought  I'd  jest  see  you  about  the  bills.  I  didn't 
know  but  you  might  have  paid  'em  away;  and  I 
wanted  you  to  have  'em  with  you  when  you  go  over 
to  Rockport  to  the  trial." 

"It  seems  to  me,  Mr.  Fairfield,  you  are  very 
anxious  to  have  your  nephew  convicted  of  the 
crime,"  added  the  boat-builder,  disgusted  at  the 
conduct  of  the  guardian. 

"  'Tain't  so,  Mr.  Hatch  —  no  sich  thing,"  protested 
Mr.  Fairfield.  "You  don't  understand  this  business 
as  well  as  I  do.'  The  fact  on't  is,  that  money  was 
stole  in  my  house.  Ruel  more'n  half  hinted  that  I 
stole  it  myself;  and  goodness  knows,  I  wouldn't  do 
no  sich  thing  as  that." 

"But  the  boy  tells  where  he  got  the  money." 

"He  don't  tell  the  truth,"  replied  Mr.  Fairfield, 
shaking  his  head,  as  he  walked  away. 

Mr.  Hatch  concluded  that  the  guardian  had  come 
to  him  to  assure  himself  that  the  identical  bills  paid 
for  the  boat  would  be  produced  at  the  trial.  Though 
he  had  no  respect  for  the  miser,  and  thought  it  very 
unnatural  that  an  uncle  should  be  so  forward  to  have 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  141 

his  nephew  and  ward  condemned,  he  could  see  no 
good  reason  why  the  whole  truth  should  not  come 
out  at  the  examination.  With  the  bank  bills  in  his 
pocket-book,  he  took  the  same  train  with  Mr.  Fair- 
field  for  Rockport. 

At  eleven  o'clock  Levi  was  taken  to  the  office  of 
the  trial  justice  by  Mr.  Gayles.  The  special  messen 
ger  who  had  been  sent  for  Mr.  Watson  had  not  yet 
appeared,  but  it  was  believed  that  the  important  wit 
ness  would  be  present.  Mr.  Gayles  was  so  confident 
Levi  would  be  discharged,  that  no  lawyer  had  been 
employed  to  manage  his  case.  The  cause  was  duly 
brought  before  the  justice,  and  Ruel  Belcher,  in  his 
testimony,  gave  a  full  history  of  the  loss  of  his 
money,  as  it  has  been  already  recited  to  the  read 
er.  Mr.  Gayles  detailed  the  arrest,  and  gave  Levi's 
explanation  of  the  manner  he  had  come  into  pos 
session  of  the  money  with  which  he  had  bought  the 
boat ;  but  both  Mr.  Fairfield  and  Dock  Vincent  swore 
that  Levi  had  told  them  Mr.  Watson  gave  him  no 
money  —  had  only  paid  him  ten  dollars  for  the  fish 
he  had  lost. 

By  this  time  Mr.  Hatch,  who  had  been  to  see  the 


142  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OR 

minister  for  whose  society  he  had  built  the  boat, 
came  into  the  room,  and  gave  his  testimony.  Ruel 
had  already  declared  that  he  could  identify  the  bills 
he  had  lost.  The  boat-builder  told  what  had  passed 
between  himself  and  Levi  the  day  before,  which  in 
cluded  the  statement  that  Mr.  Watson  had  "  let  him 
have  "  the  money. 

"  Have  you  the  bills  the  boy  paid  you  ? "  asked 
the  justice. 

"  I  have,"  replied  Mr.  Hatch,  taking  out  his  pocket- 
book  and  producing  the  bills. 

Ruel  was  directed  to  examine  them.  This  appeared 
to  be  the  turning-point  of  the  case,  and  those  present 
were  breathless  with  interest.  Levi  smiled  as  pleas 
antly  as  a  summer  morning,  for  he  was  entirely  sat 
isfied  that  this  line  of  evidence  would  establish  his 
innocence. 

"These  are  the  very  bills  I  lost,"  said  Ruel 
Belcher. 

"  What ! "  exclaimed  Levi,  springing  to  his  feet, 
horrified  at  the  words  Ruel  had  spoken. 

"Can  you  swear  that  those  are  the  bills  you  lost, 
Mr.  Belcher?"  demanded  the  justice. 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OP    CAPE    ANN.  143 

"I  can." 

"How  do  you  identify  them?" 

"  By  this  blot  of  ink,  in  the  shape  of  half  a  star, 
near  the  cashier's  signature." 

At  this  stage  of  the  examination  the  special  mes* 
senger  appeared.  He  had  stopped  a  moment  to  do 
an  errand  in  Gloucester,  and  had  lost  the  train;  but 
he  had  no  good  news  for  Levi,  now  overwhelmed  by 
the  evidence  against  him.  He  had  been  to  Rye,  but 
Mr.  Watson  had  hardly  reached  the  hotel  at  the 
beach  before  he  was  summoned  to  Boston  by  a 
telegraph  despatch  to  meet  some  business  emer 
gency,  and  his  family  had  gone  with  him.  The 
most  important  witness  for  Levi,  therefore,  could 
not  be  obtained. 

The  evidence  was  all  heard.  Ruel's  money  had 
disappeared  ;  Levi  had  left  his  home  the  next 
morning  without  any  explanation  of  his  purpose, 
bought  The  Starry  Flag,  and  Ruel  had  identified 
the  bills  paid  to  Mr.  Hatch  as  the  money  he  had 
lost.  Two  witnesses  had  sworn  that  Levi  said  Mr. 
Watson  gave  him  no  money.  It  seemed  to  be  a 
very  plain  case,  and  the  justice  said  aa  much. 


144  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"I  know'd  just  how  it  would  be,"  said  Mr.  Fair- 
field,  who  sat  near  Levi. 

"  I  didn't  steal  that  money,"  cried  Levi,  springing 
to  his  feet  again;  and  he  was  so  overcome  by  his 
emotions  that  the  tears  streamed  down  his  cheeks. 
"Mr.  Watson  let  me  have  that  money." 

"  How  could  Mr.  Watson  have  given  you  the  very 
bills  which  Mr.  Belcher  lost?"  asked  the  justice, 
quietly. 

"I  don't  know  about  that,"  protested  Levi;  "but 
if  you  will  only  wait  till  Mr.  Watson  comes,  he  will 
tell  you  that  he  gave  me  the  money." 

"That  is  hardly  necessary.  The  case  seems  to  be 
made  out,  and  I  must  commit  you  for  trial.  If  you 
wish  to  ask  the  witnesses  any  questions,  or  offer  any 
new  evidence,  you  may  do  so." 

"  I  want  to  ask  Mr.  Hatch  if  the  bills  he  showed 
here  are  the  ones  I  paid  him." 

"They  are,"  replied  Mr.  Hatch. 

"Are  you  sure?"  demanded  Levi,  earnestly. 
"Have  they  been  out  of  your  hands  since  I  gave 
them  to  you?" 


TIIK    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  145 

"Well,  yes  —  once,"  answered  the  boat-builder. 

"  They  have ! "  exclaimed  Levi,  catching  at  this 
straw. 

"Your  uncle  came  over  to  see  me  this  morning, 
and  wanted  to  know  if  I  had  the  same  bills  you  paid 
me.  I  told  him  I  had,  and  showed  them  to  him." 

"Did  he  take  them  in  his  hand?" 

"  He  did ;  but  he  couldn't  tell  me  whether  they 
were  the  ones  Mr.  Belcher  had  lost  or  not." 

"  What  did  he  want  to  see  them  for  ? "  asked  Levi, 
greatly  excited. 

"I  don't  know." 

"  I  guess  you  don't ! " 

Mr.  Fail-field  was  very  uneasy  and  very  angry. 

"Be  calm,  Levi,  and  ask  any  questions  you  wish," 
said  the  justice. 

"Did  uncle  Nathan  give  you  back  the  same  bills 
you  gave  him?" 

"  I  suppose  he  did ;  I  don't  know,"  replied  Mr. 
Hatch. 

"Didn't  you  examine  tha  bills  before   you   passed 
them  to  Mr.  Fairfield  ? "  asked  the  justice. 
13 


146  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"  No,  sir ;  I  supposed,  of  course,  he  gave  me  back 
just  what  I  handed  to  him." 

"May  I  say  something,  Squire  Saunders?"  contin 
ued  Levi,  wiping  the  tears  from  his  face. 

"  Anything  relating  to  the  matter  before  us,"  re 
plied  the  justice. 

"I  know  I  didn't  steal  that  money,  Squire  Saun^ 
ders;  and  I  want  to  have  you  wait  till  I  can  get 
Mr.  Watson  here.  I've  got  money  enough  to  send 
for  him.  He'll  tell  you  he  gave  me  the  money  for 
saving  his  daughter.  I  wanted  that  boat  to  earn 
some  money  with.  Here's  my  uncle ;  he's  my  guar 
dian;"  and  Levi  pointed  at  Mr.  Fail-field,  who  sat 
squirming  like  an  eel  in  his  chair.  "He's  meaner 
than  dirt.  He  don't  give  me  enough  to  eat,  and 
not  much  of  anything  to  wear.  I  want  to  go  to 
school,  and  he  won't  let  me.  If  I  should  die,  he 
would  be  the  happiest  man  in  Rockport.  He  wants 
to  break  me  down !  Yes,  sir !  He  wants  to  break 
me  down!  He  wants  to  get  rid  of  me;  and  he's 
done  everything  he  could  to  make  it  out  that  I  stole 
this  money." 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OP   CAPE   ANN.  147 

"  That's  a  fact ! "  ejaculated  Mr.  Hatch,  loud  enough 
to  be  heard  by  all  in  the  room. 

Levi  waxed  eloquent.  He  was  actually  making  a 
speech. 

"  But  I  didn't  steal  it,"  he  continued.  "  I  wouldn't 
steal  any  man's  money.  I've  been  trying  to  make 
something  to  help  myself,  because  my  guardian  will 
not  give  me  what  I  need.  I  earned  twenty-one 
dollars,  and  he  tried  to  take  it  away  from  me, 
Squire  Saunders." 

"  I'm  his  guardeen ! "  interposed  uncle  Nathan, 
savagely. 

"Tell  me  only  about  the  money,  Levi,"  said  the 
justice. 

"He  tried  to  take  my  money  away  from  me, 
sir.  He  wants  to  make  it  out  that  I  am  a  bad 
boy  —  that  I'm  a  thief;  but  I  am  not.  I've  been 
treated  worse  than  a  dog,  and  I  won't  stand  it!" 

Levi's  tears  began  to  flow  again;  and  as  his  in 
dignation  was  kindled  at  his  wrongs,  he  gesticulated 
violently,  and  even  shook  his  fist  in  the  face  of  his 
guardian. 

"He  came  into  the  room  where  Mr.  Belcher  and 


148  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

I   slept,   night    before    last,   looking    for    my   money 
—  Mr.   Belcher  told   me   he    did.      And    he    says  I 
stole    the    money ;    but    I    didn't ;    and   I'm    almost 
sure   now   that  he   stole   it   himself!" 

Mr.  Fairfield  jumped    up   as   though   he  had  been 
idiot. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  149 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

ME.  HATCH'S  TESTIMONY. 

YOU  villain,  you!"  gasped  Mr.  Fair-field,  filled 
with  rage  at  being  charged  with  stealing  the 
money,  in  addition  to  the  other  unpleasant  revelations 
which  Levi  had  made. 

"  Squire  Saunders,  I  say  just  what  I  believe.  I 
don't  know  as  I  ought  to  say  it,  but  I  can't  help 
thinking  it,"  added  the  young  fisherman. 

"  You  villain,  you !  how  dare  you  say  I  stole  the 
money !  I  never  did  sich  a  thing  in  my  life.  I've 
lived  here  in  Rockport  all  my  days,  and  I  caPlate 
folks  know  me  well  enough  to  know  I  wouldn't 
steal,"  interposed  Mr.  Fairfield,  a  little*  more  com 
posed,  when  he  found  himself  standing  up  before  the 
justice  and  other  persons  in  the  room.  "  It's  jest  as 
clear  to  me  as  anything  in  natur  can  be,  that  the 
boy  stole  that  money ;  and  seems  to  me  'tain't 
13* 


150  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OB 

exactly  right  to  let  him  stand  here  and  talk  so 
about  one  that  has  been  his  best  friend  on  airth. 
I've  done  everything  I  could  for  that  boy.  I've 
tried  to  bring  him  up  right;  and  to-day  he's  got 
more  property  than  he  had  when  his  father  died. 
I've  done  the  best  I  could  for  him,  Squire  Saunders, 
and  now  you  see  what  I  git  for't." 

Mr.  Fairfield,  having  vented  his  overcharged  feel 
ings,  sat  down,  and  looked  like  a  much-abused  man. 

"  Squire  Saunders,  all  I've  got  to  say  is,  if  the 
money  Mr.  Hatch  showed  here  is  the  same  that  Ruel 
lost,  my  uncle  must  have  changed  it  when  he  was 
looking  at  it,  for  I  know  I  didn't  steal  the  money. 
I  never  touched  it,  and  never  saw  it,"  said  Levi, 
stoutly.  "  All  I  want  is,  to  have  Mr.  Watson  come 
here,  and  tell  what  he  knows  about  this  business." 

The  prisoner  sat  down  again,  with  the  feeling  that 
he  had,  at  least,  raised  a  doubt  in  regard  to  his 
guilt. 

"I  am  entirely  willing  to  continue  the  case  until 
Mr.  Watson's  attendance  can  be  procured,"  added 
Squire  Saunders;  "though,  if  Mr.  Belcher  is  ready 
to  testify  that  the  money  in  Mr.  Hatch's  hands, 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE   ANN.  151 

which  he  swears  was  paid  to  him  by  Levi,  is  com 
posed  of  the  identical  bills  he  lost,  it  is  hardly 
necessary. 

Mr.  Hatch  rose,  and  seemed  much  embarrassed. 

"I  think  —  that  is  to  say  —  when  I  gave  my  ovi, 
dence  —  I  hope  your  honor  don't  think  —  I  think  I 
was  a  little  too  fast,"  said  he,  winding  up  desperately 
when  he  found  he  was  making  a  "  mess  "  of  it. 

"You  wish  to  correct  your  testimony?"  said  the 
justice,  with  a  smile. 

"I  said  just  what  I  thought  was  true;  but,  on 
second  thought,  I  think  I  may  be  mistaken.  It 
didn't  occur  to  me,  till  Levi  spoke,  that  the  money 
had  been  out  of  my  hands." 

"You  can  correct  your  statements,  if  you  wish," 
added  the  magistrate. 

"I  don't  know  as  I  want  to  correct  anything 
more.  When  the  boy  paid  me  the  money,  and  told 
me  where  he  got  it,  so  that  I  was  satisfied  it  was 
all  right,  I  just  looked  at  the  figures  on  the  bills. 
The  national  bank  bills  are  all  alike  to  me,  and  all 
of  'em  good  ;  so  I  didn't  mind  much  about  'em.  I 
was  just  going  to  pay  that  money  away  for  some 


152  THIS    STARRY    FLAG,    OK 

lumber  I  bought,  when  Mr.  Gayles  came  along  to 
find  the  boy." 

"  I  thought  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  boat 
were  for  the  benefit  of  Mr.  Ames's  church,"  inter 
posed  Squire  Saunders. 

"  Bless  you !  so  they  were ;  but  I  had  money 
enough  in  the  bank  to  pay  it.  I  didn't  know  as  I 
should  see  the  minister  for  a  week  or  two ;  so  I 
thought  I  might  as  well  use  the  money  I  had  in 
my  pocket  to  pay  for  my  lumber.  It  would  save 
me  going  clear  up  to  the  bank,  you  see." 

"  No  doubt  it  was  all  right,  Mr.  Hatch,"  added 
the  justice. 

"  O,  it  was !  you  may  depend  upon  it,"  said  the 
boat-builder,  earnestly,  —  for  he  was  not  quite  sure 
that  he  might  not  yet  be  accused  of  an  attempt  to 
purloin  from  the  church  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  ; 
but  every  one  knew  that  Mr.  Hatch  would  be  sunk 
a  thousand  feet  in  the  sea  rather  than  wrong  any 
person  of  the  value  of  one  cent.  "  I  might  have 
drawn  a  check  for  the  lumber  ;  and  I  should  have 
done  so,  if  I  hadn't  had  that  money  in  my  pocket. 
You  see,  squire,  it  would  save  me  taking  some  steps, 
and  —  " 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.       '     153 

"  Never  mind  that,  Mr.  Hatch ;  I  am  entirely  satis 
fied  with  your  explanation.  Confine  yourself  if  you 
please,  to  the  matter  before  the  court,"  interposed 
the  justice. 

"  Yes,  sir.  Well,  sir,  Mr.  Gayles  came  along,  and 
said  he  was  after  Levi,  because  he  had  stolen  the 
money.  I  was  kind  of  struck  up  when  I  heard  this, 
and  didn't  think  anything  more  about  the  lumber. 
The  fact  on't  is,  I  haven't  paid  for  it  yet;  but  Mr. 
Proctor  knows  I'm  good  —  " 

"  No  doubt  you  are,  Mr.  Hatch ;  but  the  question 
relates  to  the  identity  of  the  bills  in  your  possession." 

"Just  so.  Well,  sir,  Mr.  Gayles  went  off  in  a 
boat  after  Levi,  and  I  didn't  hear  anything  more 
about  the  matter  till  this  morning,  though  I  was 
afraid  all  of  'em  would  get  cast  away  when  it 
blowed  so  yesterday.  That  was  one  of  the  heaviest 
squalls  we  have  had  in  these  parts  since  I  was  a 
boy.  We  had  another  last  night,  but  it  wasn't  quite 
so  heavy.  Well,  I  was  afraid  the  boats  would  upset 
in  that  squall,  and  I  kept  thinking  of  'em,  for  I  was 
out  once  in  a  squall,  though  it  wasn't  quite  so  heavy 
as  the  one  we  had  yesterday  noon ;  but  I've  observed 


154  THE    8TAREY   FLAG,   OB 

that  these  squalls  coming  up  from  the  westward 
after  such  a  day  —  " 

"  We  do  not  care  to  listen,  just  now,  to  a  homily 
on  meteorology,  Mr.  Hatch,"  interrupted  the  justice; 
"  you  said  you  didn't  look  at  the  bills  yesterday." 

"  No,  sir ;  I  didn't  say  so.  I'm  on  oath,  and  I 
want  to  tell  it  just  exactly  as  it  was,  this  time.  I 
did  look  at  the  bills,  but  only  to  see  the  figures. 
This  morning  Mr.  Fairfield  here  came  over  to  see 
me  about  them  bills.  He  wanted  to  look  at  'em, 
and  I  let  him  have  'em." 

"Didn't  he  change  them?"  demanded  Levi,  impa 
tient  under  the  long  speeches  of  the  worthy  boat- 
builder. 

"Bless  your  soul!  I  don't  know  as  he  did;  and, 
then  again,  I  don't  know  but  he  did.  I  wasn't  mind 
ing  particularly  what  he  did." 

"What  did  he  do  when  you  gave  them  to  him?" 
asked  Levi,  anxiously ;  for  he  was  by  this  time 
almost  certain  that  his  uncle,  when  he  went  into  the 
room  to  search  for  the  twenty-one  dollars,  had  stolen 
Ruel's  wallet,  and  exchanged  the  lost  bills  for  those 
paid  for  The  Starry  Flag. 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OP   CA1-E   ANN.  165 

"  Well,  he  took  the  bills,  and  fumbled  about  his 
pockets  for  his  spectacles.  He  found  'em,  put  'em 
on,  looked  at.  the  bills,  and  then  gave  'em  back 
to  me." 

"You  have  no  means  of  knowing  whether  he 
changed  them  or  not  ?  "  said  the  justice. 

"  No,  sir ;  I  have  not.  He  might  have  done  it,  for 
all  I  know." 

"  Mr.  Hatch,"  continued  the  magistrate,  rather 
sternly,  "  are  you  willing  to  swear  that  the  bills 
produced  by  you  in  court  are  the  identical  ones  paid 
to  you  by  the  prisoner?" 

"Well,  sir,  I've  told  you  just  exactly  how  it  was; 
and  you  can  judge  for  yourself  whether  the  bills  are 
the  same  ones,"  replied  Mr.  Hatch,  wiping  the  per 
spiration  from  his  brow. 

"That  is  not  the  point.  Mr.  Belcher  swears  posi 
tively  that  the  bills  you  have  exhibited  are  the  ones 
he  lost ;  now,  can  you  swear  that  they  were  paid  to 
you  by  Levi  Fairfield?" 

"No,  sir;  I  cannot  —  that  is  to  say,  I'm  not  will 
ing  to  do  so.  I'll  swear  to  anything  in  reason, 
but  —  " 


156  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"  Can  you  swear  that  Mr.  Fairfield  did  change  the 
bills?"  added  Squire  Saunders. 

"  No,  I  certainly  cannot.  He  might  have  changed 
'em,  but  you  see  I  don't  know  whether  he  did 
or  not." 

"  That  will  do,  Mr.  Hatch ;  sit  down,  if  you 
please,"  continued  the  justice.  "  Mr.  Belcher,  do  you 
wish  to  make  any  change  in  your  testimony?" 

"  No,  sir ;   I  don't  know  that  I  do." 

"You  are  quite  positive  the  bills  produced  by  Mr. 
Hatch  are  the  identical  ones  you  lost?" 

"  I'm  just  as  sure  of  it  as  I  am  that  I  stand  here," 
replied  Ruel,  confidently.  "  I  looked  them  over  very 
carefully,  for  I'm  not  much  used  to  handling  hundred- 
dollar  bills,  and  I  rather  liked  the  looks  of  them." 

"Where  did  you  get  the  bills?" 

"They  were  paid  to  me  yesterday  by  Captain 
Vincent." 

"  I  think  I  should  know  them  again,"  added  Dock, 
who  was  then  invited  to  examine  them.  "They  are 
the  very  bills  I  paid  Mr.  Belcher,"  —  he  did  not  say 
how  reluctantly.  "This  new  one  was  given  me  by 
Mr.  Watson." 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  157 

tf  Mr.  Fairfield,  do  you  wish  to  alter  your  evi 
dence  ?  "  said  Squire  Saunders,  turning  to  Levi's  guar 
dian. 

"  Not  one  word  on't ! "  replied  he,  with  energy. 

"You  visited  the  chamber  in  which  Mr.  Belcher 
and  Levi  were  asleep  —  did  you  not  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir ;  I  did  go  in.  The  fact  on't  is,  that  boy 
had  twenty-one  dollars,  and  I'm  his  guardeen." 

"  We  know  that,"  interposed  the  justice,  tartly. 

"  He's  gettin  to  be  a  bad  boy,  and  it's  high  time 
sunthin'  was  done.  He's  got  to  be  seen  to,  or  — " 

"  What  did  you  go  into  the  room  for  ?  " 

"  To  git  Levi's  money.  I  didn't  want  to  have 
him  fool  it  away,  waste  the  money,  and  hurt  him 
self." 

"Did  you  find  his  money?" 

"No,  I  did  not;  I  wish  I  had." 

"  You  found  no  money  ?  " 

"Not  a  cent." 

"  For  what  purpose  did  you  visit  Gloucester  this 
morning  ?  " 

"  To  see  Mr.  Hatch.      You  see,  I  was  afraid  he'd 
pay  away  them  bills  —  " 
14 


158  THE    STARRY    FLAG,   OK 

"And  your  nephew  would  not  be  convicted," 
added  the  justice,  with  evident  disgust. 

"  If  that  boy  stole  the  money  —  and  I  know  he 
did  —  I  want  the  facts  to  come  out  jest  as  they  be. 
He's  a  bad  boy,  and  he's  gittin  wus  every  day.  I 
can't  do  nothin  with  him ;  he  fit  me  like  a  wildcat ; 
and  it's  a  good  deal  better  to  have  him  seen  to 
afore  it's  too  late,  than  tis  to  let  him  go  to  ruin, 
and  then  try  to  save  him  from  the  error  of  his 
ways.  I  b'lieve  in  shettin  the  door  afore  the  hoss 
is  stole." 

"  Did  you  change  the  bills  handed  to  you  by  Mr. 
Hatch?" 

"  Did  I  change  'em ! "  repeated  Nathan  Fairfield, 
trying  to  look  savage  and  indignant;  but  the  attempt 
was  a  miserable  failure,  for  his  emphasis  was  broken- 
backed,  and  his  thin  lips  quivered.  "  Did  I  change 
'em!  You've  known  me  a  good  many  years,  Squire 
Saunders  —  " 

"Answer  the  question." 

"  Of  course  I  didn't  change  'em.  What  should  / 
change  'em  for?  I  only  wanted  to  be  sure  that  Mr. 
Hatch  didn't  pass  them  bills  off." 


THE  YOUNG   FISHEBMAN    OF   CAPE    ANN.  159 

"That  is  sufficient,"  said  the  justice,  turning  to 
Levi,  whom  he  called  up.  "Levi,  this  is  not  a 
court  to  try  you  for  the  crime  with  which  you 
are  charged.  It  is  my  duty  to  examine  the  evidence 
for  and  against  you,  and  determine  whether  there 
are  sufficient  grounds  for  holding  you  to  answer  in 
the  proper  court  on  the  charge  against  you.  This  is 
not  your  trial." 

"I  know  it,  sir,"  replied  Levi;  "I'm  ready  to  do 
whatever  you  say,  but  I  didn't  steal  that  money  any 
more  than  you  did." 

"  Understand  me,  Levi :  I  do  not  say  you  are 
guilty,  but  there  is  probable  cause  for  believing  you 
guilty,  as  the  case  stands  at  present." 

"  It  wouldn't  stand  so  if  Mr.  Watson  had  been 
here,"  added  Levi. 

"As  you  seem  to  lay  a  great  deal  of  stress  upon 
the  appearance  of  Mr.  Watson,  I  will,  if  you  desire, 
continue  the  case  for  a  few  days." 

"I  do  desire  it,"  replied  Levi,  decidedly. 

"  Yery  well ;  I  will  put  the  case  off  for  one  week ; 
but  in  the  mean  time  I  must  commit  you,  unless 


160  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

you  offer  sufficient  bail  for  your  appearance.  Per 
haps  your  uncle  would  be  your  bail." 

"  I'm  willin  to  do  anything  in  reason,  squire ;  but 
that  boy  would  be  jest  as  sartin  to  run  away  as  he 
would  be  to  eat  when  he's  hungry,"  interrupted  Mr. 
Fairfield. 

"  If  he  could  get  something  to  eat,"  added  Levi, 
bitterly. 

Very  much  to  the  prisoner's  surprise,  a  Cape  Ann 
millionnaire  —  worth  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
dollars  —  came  forward,  and  offered  to  "  go  bail "  for 
him.  The  father-in-law  of  Mr.  Gayles  also  offered 
himself,  both  gentlemen  having  been  secured  by  the 
grateful  constable.  The  bail  was  acceptable,  and 
Levi  left  the  office,  to  appear  again  in  one  week. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  161 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

AFTER    THE    EXAMINATION. 

OF  those  who  attended  the  examination  of  Levi, 
one  half  believed  that  Mr.  Fail-field  had  stolen 
the  money,  and  the  other  half  that  Levi  was  guilty 
of  the  theft.  Some  thought  that  Levi  was  a  bad 
boy;  and  all  knew  that  his  uncle  was  a  hard  and 
mean  man. 

The  prisoner  left  the  office  with  Mr.  Gayles.  The 
boat-builder  was  in  great  trouble.  He  was  now 
entirely  satisfied  that  the  money  in  his  possession 
was  that  which  had  been  stolen  from  Ruel  Belcher; 
and  when  the  squire  told  him  he  might  restore  it  to 
owner,  taking  his  receipt  therefor,  he  made  haste  to 
get  rid  of  it. 

"  NOW  you  have  got  your  money,  Mr.  Belcher,  and 
you  ought  to  be  satisfied,"  said  he,  as  he  gave  up  the 
bills. 

14* 


162  THE    STAKRT    FLAG,   OB 

"I  am  entirely  satisfied." 

"  Now,  do  you  believe  that  boy  stole  the  money  ?  * 

"Sartin  he  did,"  interposed  Mr.  Fairfield.  "No 
body  else  could  have  took  it." 

"  I  don't  say  you  took  it,  Mr.  Fairfield ;  but  I  can't 
quite  get  it  through  my  head  that  Levi  isn't  an  hon 
est  boy,"  added  Mr.  Hatch. 

"  The  fact  on't  is,  I  know  the  boy  stole  the  money. 
Mr.  Watson  didn't  give  him  no  two  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars  for  haulin  that  gal  into  the  dory,"  con 
tinued  Mr.  Fairfield.  "  He's  a  rich  man ;  and  he 
didn't  git  rich  foolin  away  his  money  in  that  shape. 
It  stands  to  reason  a  man  like  him  wouldn't  do  no 
sich  thing." 

"If  Mr.  Watson  did  give  him  two  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars,  where  is  it  now?  That's  the  question," 
suggested  Ruel  Belcher.  "  I'm  just  as  sure  this  money 
paid  me  by  Mr.  Hatch  is  what  I  lost,  as  I  am  that  I 
stand  here  now." 

"  I  don't  believe  Mr.  Watson  give  him  any  money ; 
if  he  did,  the  boy  has  hid  it,"  said  the  guardian. 

"I  think  we'd  better  hunt  round,  and  see  if  w« 
•an't  find  it,"  added  Ruel. 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF   CAPE   ANN.  163 

"Levi  seemed  to  be  very  sure  that  Mr.  F airfield 
changed  the  bills  when  he  looked  at  them  this  morn 
ing,"  continued  Squire  Saunders,  glancing  at  the 
guardian. 

"That  boy  hates  me,  and  all  because  I've  tried  to 
do  well  by  him,  and  make  a  man  of  him.  He'd  say 
anything,"  replied  Mr.  Fail-field;  but  he  did  not  like 
the  look  which  the  magistrate  gave  him. 

The  conversation  continued  for  some  time  longer, 
but  without  making  any  of  the  party  wiser  than  they 
were  before.  Mr.  Fairfield  was  disturbed  and  un 
easy.  He  wanted  to  get  away,  but  he  didn't  wish 
to  leave  while  it  was  possible  that  anything  might 
be  said  to  implicate  him.  He  knew  that  he  had,  at 
that  moment,  the  identical  bills  in  his  pocket  which 
Mr.  Watson  had  paid  Levi;  he  knew  that  he  had 
changed  the  bills  in  the  morning,  during  his  inter 
view  with  the  boat-builder;  and  he  was  afraid  —  as 
all  guilty  men  are  —  that  some  circumstance  mighl 
betray  him. 

But  we  must  do  the  guardian  the  justice  to  say, 
that  he  believed  Levi  had  stolen  Ruel's  wallet.  He 
had  found  it  concealed  in  the  chimney,  He  was  cen- 


164 

fident  that  no  one  but  the  boy  could  have  stolen  it 
He  did  not  steal  it  himself —  he  knew  that ;  and  Rue! 
would  not  purloin  his  own  money.  If  he  did  steal 
it  —  and  he  did  —  he  ought  to  be  convicted;  and  the 
fact  that  the  wallet  had  been  found  in  the  chimney, 
would  be  as  likely  to  convict  the  uncle  as  the 
nephew. 

Ruel  and  Mr.  Fairfield  left  the  office  together; 
but  they  soon  separated,  and  Nathan  went  home 
alone.  He  was  very  nervous,  for  he  had  done  a 
mean,  base,  and  wicked  act,  though  this  did  not 
trouble  him  half  so  much  as  the  fear  that  what 
he  had  done  would  be  discovered.  Mr.  Watson 
might  come  to  Rockport  within  a  few  days.  Prob 
ably  he  would  be  able  to  identify  the  large  bills  he 
had  given  to  Levi.  What  if  they  should  be  found 
upon  him?  The  cold  sweat  started  on  his  fore 
head  at  the  very  thought,  for  it  would  prove  that 
he  had  changed  the  bills  Mr.  Hatch  handed  to 
him. 

He  was  alarmed.  He  reached  his  dilapidated  man 
sion,  and  went  in.  Though  he  told  his  wife  the 
result  of  the  examination,  he  was  not  disposed  t« 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OP    CAPE   ANN.  163 

enlarge  upon  the  subject.  What  if  the  constable 
should  come  to  look  for  the  bills?  He  was  terrified 
as  the  thought  flashed  through  his  mind,  and  jump 
ing  out  of  his  chair,  he  went  up  stairs  to  Levi's 
room.  Taking  the  stolen  wallet  from  his  pocket, 
he  placed  the  bills  he  had  taken  from  Mr.  Hatch 
just  as  he  found  the  original  contents  when  the 
wallet  fell  out  of  its  hiding-place. 

Without  thinking  that  he  was  attired  in  his  best 
clothes,  he  crawled  into  the  fireplace,  and  then  thrust 
his  head  up  into  the  capacious  flue.  It  was  an  old- 
fashioned  house,  and  the  fireplaces  were  large  enough 
to  hold  from  a  foot  to  half  a  cord  of  wood.  Mr. 
Fairfield  was  looking  for  a  safe  place  for  the  wallet. 
He  intended  to  restore  it  to  the  chimney  where  he 
had  found  it,  until  the  excitement  had  subsided,  when 
the  money  could  be  used.  But  if  he  put  it  where  it 
was  before,  Levi,  who  had  concealed  it,  would  find 
it  again,  and,  before  the  week  had  expired,  would 
take  it,  and  leave  for  parts  unknown. 

Mr.  Fairfield  concluded  to  place  it  about  eight 
feet  above  the  hearth,  where  he  found  a  projecting 
brick  upon  which  it  could  rest.  Levi,  not  finding 


166  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

the  wallet  where  he  had  hidden  it,  would  naturally 
conclude  that  it  was  gone,  and  not  search  higher  up 
for  it.  At  the  same  time,  if  Levi  should  be  driven 
to  confess  the  theft,  and  reveal  the  hiding-place  of 
the  wallet,  then  it  would  be  found  in  the  chimney. 
But  he  hoped  the  boy  would  not  be  weak  enough 
to  confess ;  and  when  the  trouble  was  all  over,  Mr. 
Fairfield  could  put  the  money  in  his  pocket. 

The  miserable  old  wretch  was  satisfied  with  the 
precautions  he  had  used,  and  was  reasonably  confi 
dent  that  his  own  villany  would  not  be  discovered. 
He  had  hardly  put  up  the  fireboard  when  he  heard 
a  very  emphatic  knocking  at  the  front  door.  Hasten 
ing  down  stairs,  he  found  that  Mrs.  Fail-field  had  just 
admitted  Mr.  Hatch  and  the  constable,  who  were  at 
tended  by  Levi. 

When  the  party  at  the  office  separated,  Mr.  Hatch 
had  gone  directly  to  Mr.  Gayles's  house.  He  was  a 
little  anxious  about  the  boat,  and  wished  to  settle 
the  question  in  regard  to  the  present  ownership  of 
The  Starry  Flag.  He  told  Levi  that  he  had  given 
up  the  money  which  Ruel  had  identified  as  his  own. 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OP   CAPE    ANN.         167 

"  But,  Levi,  you  have  the  bill  of  sale  of  the  boat," 
he  added. 

"I  won't  keep  it,  Mr.  Hatch;  I'll  give  it  back  to 
you,"  said  Levi.  "I  suppose,  as  things  have  turned 
out,  The  Starry  Flag  don't  belong  to  me  any 
longer." 

"Well,  I've  given  back  the  money,  and  I  think  I 
ought  to  have  the  boat  again." 

"  You  can  take  her,  sir,"  replied  Levi,  sadly.  "  She 
Jies  in  the  cove;  or,  if  you  wish,  I'll  sail  her  back  to 
Gloucester  for  you." 

"Well,  I  don't  know,"  added  Mr.  Hatch,  scratch 
ing  his  head  violently  in  his  perplexity.  "Bad  as 
matters  look,  some  how  or  other,  I  can't  help  think 
ing  things  will  come  out  right  in  the  end." 

"I  know  they  will;  but  I  don't  see  that  I  am 
likely  to  have  the  boat;  arid  you  may  as  well  take 
her  now  as  at  any  other  time,"  answered  Levi, 
gloomily  —  for  the  bright  visions  of  owning  and 
sailing  the  beautiful  boat  had  passed  away.  "I 
believe  my  uncle  stole  that  money,  and  laid  it  to 
me.  I'm  pretty  certain  he  changed  the  bills  when 
you  let  him  have  them  this  morning." 


168  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"Then,  of  course,  he  has  thos"e  you  paid  to  Mr. 
Hatch,"  said  the  constable. 

"I'm  almost  sure  he  has." 

"Do  you  know  them,  Levi?" 

"I'll  bet  I  do!  I  studied  them  well,"  replied  the 
young  fisherman,  eagerly.  "All  three  of  them  were 
on  the  same  bank,  and  they  were  new  and  stiff." 

"Those  I  had  in  court  were  on  three  different 
banks,  but  one  of  them  was  a  new  one,"  added  the 
constable. 

"Yes;  and  that  new  one  was  on  the  same  bank 
as  mine  —  the  Continental  National  Bank,  Boston.  I 
saw  it  when  Ruel  looked  at  them.  I'll  bet  the  hun 
dred-dollar  bill  was  the  one  paid  by  Mr.  Watson  to 
Dock  Vincent." 

"  I've  a  great  mind  to  get  out  a  search  warrant, 
and  see  what  money  the  old  skinflint  has  on  hand," 
continued  Mr.  Gayles. 

Mr.  Hatch  thought  he  would  be  willing  to  show 
his  money,  if  everything  was  right  with  him,  and  thus 
remove  all  suspicion  against  him. 

"We  can  go  down  and  see  him,  at  any  rate," 
he  added. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  1G9 

"I  will  go  with  you,  for  I  want  to  show  you 
ivhere  The  Stary  Flag  lies,"  said  Levi. 

"About  the  boat,  I  don't  know  as  I'll  take  her 
round  with  me,  Levi.  On  the  whole,  I  guess  I 
won't,"  continued  Mr.  Hatch;  "I  can't  help  think 
ing  that  things  will  come  out  right." 

"  I  know  they  will,  Mr.  Hatch,"  answered  Levi, 
decidedly;  for  however  dark  the  prospect  looked,  he 
did  not  at  any  time  lose  his  faith  in  the  future. 

"I'll  tell  you  what  I'll  do,  Levi,"  continued  Mr. 
Hatch ;  "  I'll  leave  the  boat  in  your  care  till  this 
business  is  settled  up.  You  will  use  her  carefully; 
and  Mr.  Gayles  can  have  an  eye  to  her,  if  there's 
any  trouble." 

"Thank  you,  sir!  I'm  very  much  obliged  to  you, 
Mr.  Hatch.  I'd  like  to  use  her;  but  I  don't  much 
think  I  shall  ever  own  her  now,"  said  Levi:  "uncle 
Nathan  has  got  the  money  I  ought  to  pay  for  her." 

"Mr.  Watson  must  come  here  in  a  few  days," 
added  Mr.  Gayles.  "Now  we  will  go  and  see  what 
we  can  make  of  Mr.  Fair-field." 

The  party  arrived  at  the  house  of  the  miser,  after 
paying  a  visit  to  The  Starry  Flag  at  the  cove. 
15 


170  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

They  were  ushered  into  the  kitchen  by  Mrs.  Fair- 
field. 

"Massy  sakes!  Where  hev  you  been,  Nathan?" 
cried  the  matron,  as  her  husband,  begrimed  from 
head  to  foot  with  dust,  ashes,  and  soot,  presented 
himself  at  the  door.  "What  on  airth  hev  you 
been  doin  ? " 

"I  hain't  been  doin  nothin,"  replied  Mr.  Fairfield, 
to  whom  his  wife's  words  sounded  like  an  accusation. 

He  had  evidently  rubbed  his  hand  across  his  face, 
after  it  was  thoroughly  "  smooched "  with  soot,  and 
he  looked  very  much  like  the  driver  of  a  charcoal 
cart.  The  visitors,  in  spite  of  the  seriousness  of  the 
occasion,  could  not  restrain  their  laughter.  Mr.  Fair> 
field  tried  to  laugh,  making  a  very  painful  effort  to 
do  so,  which  caused  him  to  look  all  the  more 
comical. 

"What  hev  you  been  doin?"  repeated  his  wife. 

"I've  been  fixin  that  chimbly  that  blowed  over 
last  night,"  replied  Mr.  Fairfield,  finding  it  necessary 
to  explain  his  sooty  aspect. 

"With  your  best  clothes  on,  Nathan  Fairfield!" 
exclaimed  his  careful  spouse. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    AITS.  171 

"I  didn't  think  of  that,"  he  replied,  now  aston 
ished  at  his  own  recklessness  in  the  use  of  his  best 
clothes. 

Mr.  Gayles  then  explained  that,  in  order  to  re- 
move  all  suspicion,  Mr.  Fairfield  had  better  exhibit 
what  money  he  had  on  hand. 

"  Sartin ;  I'm  glad  you've  come.  I'll  show  you 
every  dollar  of  money  I've  got  in  the  house,"  re 
plied  the  miser,  with  sudden  energy,  as  he  took 
out  his  pocket-book,  and  handed  it  to  the  officer. 

Of  course  the  bills  which  Mr.  Watson  had  paid  to 
Levi  were  not  to  be  found  in  his  pocket-book,  or  in 
the  bureau,  where  he  kept  his  spare  funds. 

"I  hope  you  are  satisfied  now,"  said  Mr.  Fair- 
field,  in  a  tone  as  triumphant  as  the  speaker  could 
make  it. 

"  The  bills  don't  seem  to  be  about  you,  or  in  your 
bureau,"  replied  Mr.  Gayles. 

"I  think  we  had  better  look  into  that  chimney," 
suggested  Levi. 

Mr.  Fairfield  turned  pale,  and  the  black  "  smooches " 
on  his  face  looked  blacker  than  before  by  the  con 
trast. 


172  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OB 


CHAPTER  XV. 

LEVI   EXPLORES    THE    CHIMNEY. 

MR.  F  AIRFIELD  was  appalled  when  Levi  sug 
gested  that  the  chimney  should  be  examined. 
He  was  very  certain  that  his  ward  had  stolen  the 
wallet  and  hidden  it,  and  Levi  was  just  as  certain 
that  his  uncle  was  guilty  of  the  crime.  To  the 
guardian  it  made  but  little  difference  who  stole  the 
money,  for  if  the  wallet  were  found  in  the  chimney, 
it  would  be  lost  to  him  when  the  storm  had  blown 
over. 

"  What  do  you  want  to  look  into  the  chimbly 
for?"  demanded  he,  when  the  constable  exhibited 
a  readiness  to  adopt  Levi's  suggestion. 

"  We  may  find  the  money  there,"  replied  Mr. 
G-ayles. 

"  I  begin  to  see  into  this  business  a  little  grain," 
added  Mr.  Fairfield ;  "  and  I  ain't  a  goin  to  hav« 


THK    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  173 

you  ransackin  my  house  for  notliin.  Have  you  got 
a  sarch- warrant  ?  " 

"  No ;  I  have  not,"  answered  the  officer  of  the  law. 

"  Then  you  can't  go  no  further,"  said  the  miser, 
decidedly ;  for  he  knew  very  well  that  the  search 
in  the  chimney  would  be  sure  to  involve  him  in 
trouble. 

"  I  will  procure  a  search-warrant,  if  you  are  not 
willing  I  should  make  the  examination  without  one." 

"Well,  I  ain't  willin." 

"  If  you  are  an  innocent  man,  Mr.  Fairfield,  I  sup 
pose  the  search  would  do  you  more  good  than  harm. 
It's  a  fact  that  about  one  half  the  people  in  town 
believe  you  stole  Ruel's  money." 

"  They  no  business  to  think  so,"  protested  the 
miser.  "  I'm  an  innocent  man.  Do  you  think  I'd 
steal  my  brother-in-law's  money  ?  " 

"You  can  see  through  a  mill-stone  when  there's  a 
hole  in  it,  Mr.  Fairfield." 

"  I  reckon  I  can ;  and  I  see  through  this  mill 
stone,  too.  You've  got  that  boy ;  and  you  don't 
know  as  well  as  I  do  what  a  bad  boy  he  is.  He 
stole  that  money  —  don't  tell  me  —  I  know  he  did 
15* 


174  THE    STAREY   FLAG,    OB 

Now  he  wants  to  look  up  chimbly  —  don't  he  ? 
What  does  all  that  mean  ?  He  stole  the  money, 
and  he  hid  it  somewhere  in  the  chimbly,  for's  all  I 
know.  Now  he  wants  to  let  you  find  it,  and  make 
it  out  that  I  hid  it.  He's  a  bad  boy,  and  it  don't 
look  right  for  you  to  hear  to  him,  and  not  mind  a 
word  that  I  say,"  continued  Mr.  Fairfield. 

"  Uncle  Nathan,  I'd  like  to  know  what  you've 
been  poking  in  the  chimney  for,  the  first  thing  after 
the  court,  with  your  best  clothes  on  ?  "  inquired  Levi, 
in  a  very  pointed  manner. 

"Don't  I  tell  you  the  top  of  the  chimbly  blowed 
in  last  night  in  the  squall,  and  I've  been  fixin  it?" 
snarled  the  uncle.  "  Mr.  Gayles,  that  boy  said  I 
stole  the  money ;  yes,  he  said  so  in  the  court,  and 
I'm  goin  to  make  him  prove  it." 

"  I  think  I  can  prove  it  before  we  get  through 
with  this  business,"  said  Levi. 

u  Well,  you  ain't  goin  pokin  about  my  house  no 
more,  not  without  you  have  a  sarch-warrant,"  added 
uncle  Nathan,  very  decidedly. 

"  Don't  you  think  you  had  better  let  Mr.  Gayles 
look  up  that  chimney?"  interposed  Mr  Hatch. 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  175 

"  I  don't  think  no  such  thing,  and  I  ain't  agoin  to 
do  it." 

"Just  as  you  say,  Mr.  Fairfield." 

"  I  know  it's  just  as  I  say.  Levi  stole  the  money, 
and  hid  it.  If  he's  a  mind  to  confess  that  he  stole 
it,  and  says  it  is  in  the  chimbly,  I'm  willing  to  let 
you  look  there." 

"  I  didn't  steal  the  money,  and  I  didn't  hide  it, 
and  I'm  not  going  to  confess  it,"  said  Levi,  emphati 
cally. 

Mr.  Fairfield  positively  refused  to  permit  the  chim 
ney  to  be  searched,  unless  the  officer  was  armed 
with  the  proper  authority  to  do  so,  and  the  party 
left  the  house  to  procure  the  warrant ;  but  Levi 
determined  to  remain  near  the  house,  and  observe 
the  movements  of  his  uncle,  who  was  not  the  man 
to  spoil  his  best  clothes  by  exploring  the  interior  of 
a  chimney,  unless  for  some  extraordinary  reason.  He 
was  quite  sure  that  Mr.  Fairfield  had  changed  the 
bills  which  Mr.  Hatch  showed  him,  and  he_  was 
equally  confident  that  the  two  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars  paid  him  by  Mr.  Watson  was  somewhere  in 
the  house.  His  uncle's  sooty  appearance  suggested 


176  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

the  hiding-place  ;  and,  warrant  or  no  warrant,  lie 
was  determined  to  discover  whether  or  not  the 
money  was  hidden  in  the  chimney.  Without  inform 
ing  Mr.  Gayles  of  his  purpose,  he  returned  to  his 
uncle's  house. 

"  What  do  you  want  now  ? "  demanded  uncle  Na 
than,  as  he  entered  the  kitchen. 

"  I  want  my  old  clothes,"  replied  Levi ;  "  I'm 
going  a  fishing." 

"  You  ain't  goin  up  stairs,  no  how,"  interposed 
Mr.  Fair  field.  "  You  villain,  you !  You  want  to 
make  it  out  that  I  stole  the  money  —  do  you  ? 
You've  hid  it  somewhere,  and  you  want  to  put  it  in 
a  place  where  the  constable .  will  find  it,  and  lay  it 
to  me.  I  know  you,  you  villain,  you ! " 

"  I  want  my  old  clothes." 

"  Git  'em  for  him,  wife.  If  he  put  that  money  in 
the  chimbly,  I  mean  to  have  the  officer  find  it  just 
where  he  put  it.  I  ain't  a  goin  to  have  things 
fixed  so  as  to  git  me  into  trouble." 

Mrs.  Fairfield  brought  the  old  clothes  down  from 
the  chamber,  and  Levi  went  into  the  wood-shed  to 
change  his  dress.  It  was  clear  that  his  uncle  would 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  177 

not  permit  him  to  enter  his  own  room,  and  he  was 
very  anxious  to  examine  the  interior  of  the  chimney 
before  his  guardian  had  an  opportunity  to  remove 
the  stolen  wallet.  When  he  had  put  on  his  old 
clothes,  he  went  out  doors,  and  looked  up  at  the 
broken  chimney  top.  He  was  a  "  born  sailor,"  nimble 
as  a  cat,  and  dizzy  heights  had  no  terrors  for  him. 
Springing  to  the  roof  of  the  shed  first,  and  then  to 
the  top  of  the  house,  whose  half-decayed  shingles 
rattled  and  snapped  beneath  his  feet,  he  reached  the 
top  of  the  chimney.  It  was  spacious  enough  even 
at  the  outlet  to  permit  his  passage  down. 

Bracing  his  knees  against  the  sides,  and  using  such 
projecting  bricks  as  afforded  him  a  foothold,  he  grad 
ually  descended  the  flue  till  he  reached  the  fireplace 
in  his  own  chamber.  Removing  the  fireboard  so  as 
to  give  him  more  light,  he  carefully  examined  the 
inside  of  the  chimney ;  but  the  wallet  was  not  to  be 
found. 

While  he  was  changing  his  clothes  in  the  wood 
shed,  Mr.  Fairfield  had  removed  it  again,  and  con 
cealed  it  in  another  place.  The  miser  had  promptly 
concluded  that  the  finding  of  the  wallet  in  its 


178  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

original  hiding-place  would  be  of  more  damage  to 
him  than  it  would  to  Levi,  especially  as  he  had  been 
seen,  so  soon  after  the  examination,  covered  with 
soot. 

Levi  was  disappointed.  His  uncle  had  outwitted 
him,  though  of  course  the  young  man  did  not  know 
it.  He  was  reasonably  certain  that  his  guardian  had 
the  money,  but  he  could  prove  nothing.  He  re 
turned  through  the  flue  to  the  roof  of  the  house,  and 
made  his  way  down  to  the  solid  earth  again.  It  is 
quite  probable  that  his  uncle  knew  what  he  was 
about,  but  he  said  nothing. 

Squire  Saunders  declined  to  issue  a  search-warrant 
for  the  purpose  indicated  by  Mr.  Gayles.  The  law 
requires  that  the  object  to  be  searched  for,  shall  be 
particularly  designated.  The  bills  which  Ruel  Belcher 
had  lost  had  been  identified  and  restored  to  the 
owner  ;  and  it  did  not  appear  that  any  other  bills 
had  been  lost.  Nothing  could  be  done,  therefore, 
but  wait  for  the  time  to  which  the  examination  of 
Levi  had  been  postponed.  On  the  following  day 
Mr.  Gayles  went  to  Boston,  and  found  Mr.  Watson, 
who  was  deeply  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the 


THE    TOtJNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  179 

young  fisherman,  and  promised  to  be  present  at  the 
examination. 

"  I  would  go  down  to  Rockport  and  stay  two  or 
three  weeks,  if  there  was  a  decent  place  to  bathe," 
said  Mr.  Watson,  as  the  constable  was  leaving  bis 
counting-room. 

"  There  isn't  a  better  place  on  the  coast,"  replied 
Mr.  Gayles,  emphatically. 

"  I  won't  trust  my  daughter  on  those  rocks  again. 
She  is  so  fond  of  the  salt  water,  that  she  must  be 
in  it,  if  she  is  near  the  shore." 

"  There  isn't  a  better  place  in  the  world  than 
Back  Beach,  in  our  town,"  added  Mr.  Gayles. 

"  But  that  is  a  mile  from  Pigeon  Cove." 

"  Well,  you  can  board  down  in  the  village,  within 
a  stone's  throw  of  the  beach.  Mr.  Babson  has  two 
nice  rooms  in  a  new  house,  and  his  folks  will  take 
first-rate  care  of  you." 

Mr.  Watson  liked  the  idea,  and  instructed  the  con 
stable  to  'engage  the  rooms  for  him,  and  fit  up  a 
bathing-room  on  Back  Beach  for  the  use  of  his 
family.  On  the  Saturday  afternoon  following,  he  took 
possession  of  his  apartments  at  Mr.  Bab  son's.  Two 


180  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OB 

little  rooms  under  the  public  hall,  which  extended 
nearly  down  to  high-water  mark,  had  been  fitted  uji 
for  dressing-rooms,  and  before  evening  Bessie  Watson 
and  her  father  were  again  floundering  in  the  brine. 
The  little  water-nymph  was  delighted  with  the  place, 
the  beach  was  so  hard,  the  water  so  clear,  and  the 
billows  so  long  and  gentle. 

While  the  little  maiden  and  her  father  were  sport 
ing  in  the  waves,  The  Starry  Flag,  with  all  sail 
spread  to  the  gentle  breeze,  glided  up  as  near  to  the 
shore  as  the  depth  of  \^ater  would  permit.  Levi 
lived  in  the  boat  now.  He  would  not  go  to  his 
uncle's  house,  and  had  slept  two  nights  in  the  cuddy 
forward.  Mr.  Watson  and  his  daughter  were  ex- 
Dected,  and  he  had  run  down  to  see  them.  When 
they  came  out  of  the  water,  he  took  them  on  board 
at  Old  Pier. 

"Levi,  I'm  glad  to  see  you,"  said  Mr.  Watson,  as 
he  stepped  into  the  boat ;  "  and  Bessie  thinks  you 
are  a  hero  of  the  first  water." 

"  Salt  water,  father,"  laughed  Bessie. 

"  Thank  you,  sir.     I  would  have  given  more  to  see 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  181 

you  last  Thursday  than  any  other  man  in  the  world," 
replied  Levi. 

"  I'm  sorry  you  have  had  so  much  trouble,  Levi, 
about  this  boat,"  added  Mr.  Watson.  "  But  I  see 
you  keep  The  Starry  Flag." 

"The  owner  lent  her  to  me.  I  gave  him  bad 
the  bill  of  sale.  I  don't  own  her  now." 

"But  you  shall  own  her,  if  she  costs  me  a  thou 
sand  dollars.  Mr.  Gayles  told  me  about  this  affair. 
Do  you  really  think  your  uncle  changed  the  bills 
when  Mr.  Hatch  let  him  look  at  them  ? " 
•  "  I  know  very  well  that  I  paid  Mr.  Hatch  the 
money  you  lent  me.  I  didn't  steal  Ruel's  wallet, 
and  there  is  only  one  other  person  that  could  have 
done  it." 

"  You  mean  your  uncle." 

"  Yes,  sir ;  he  has  never  treated  me  well,  and  he 
wants  to  break  me  down.  I  believe  he  has  the  bills 
now  which  you  gave  me,  and  I  mean  to  keep  watch 
of  him  till  I  find  them." 

"Be  prudent,  Levi,  and  it  will  come  out  right," 
added  Mr.  Watson. 

The   Starry   Flag   stood   out   as   far   as   Half  Tide 
16 


182  THE    STABRY    FLAG,   OK 

Rock,  and  then  returned.  The  merchant  and  his 
daughter  were  delighted  with  the  boat,  and  prom 
ised  themselves  much  pleasure  in  sailing  and  fishing 
in  her. 

"  There  comes  the  Griffin,"  said  Levi,  as  the  Flag 
was  approaching  the  Old  Pier. 

"What's  the  Griffin?" 

"  She  is  Dock  Vincent's  schooner.  He  is  the  man 
who  picked  you  up  the  other  day." 

The  Griffin  came  to  anchor,  and  Levi,  as  he  landed 
his  passengers,  could  not  help  thinking  about  her 
skipper's  "  little  plan,"  and  wondering  whether  the 
present  visit  of  the  merchant  and  his  daughter  would 
not  bring  trouble  to  one  or  the  other  of  them. 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE   ANN.  183 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

ON  MIKE'S  POINT. 

MR.  FAIRFIELD  was  the  most  miserable  man 
on  Cape  Ann.  Even  the  absence  of  Levi, 
though  it  saved  the  provisions  necessary  to  satisfy 
the  voracious  appetite  of  a  boy  of  fifteen,  worried 
him  intensely.  He  could  not  help  believing  that  the 
young  fisherman,  during  this  time,  was  plotting  and 
conspiring  against  him;  that  he  was  setting  awful 
traps,  into  which,  with  all  his  shrewdness  and  world- 
ly  policy,  he  might  fall,  losing  his  reputation,  and, 
what  was  worse,  his  money.  He  wished  the  boy 
would  stay  at  home,  or  at  least  come  home  nights, 
so  that  he  could  keep  the  run  of  him. 

The  miser  had  changed  the  bills  handed  to  him 
by  the  boat-builder  —  he  knew  what  others  only 
suspected.  He  was  fearful  that  he  had  slightly  over 
done  his  part,  and  that  in  his  efforts  to  cover  up  the 


184  THE    STAERY    FLAG,    OB 

wrong  which  he  had  actually  committed,  he  should 
prove  himself  to  be  guilty  of  what  he  had  not  done. 

But  his  chances  were  still  good,  in  his  own  esti- 
niation,  harassed  though  he  was  by  doubts  and 
fears.  It  could  not  be  proved  that  he  changed 
the  bills.  Mr.  Watson  might  swear  that  he  had 
given  Levi  the  money  to  buy  the  boat,  but  that 
would  not  prove  that  he  had  not  stolen  Ruel's 
money.  If  worse  came  to  worst,  and  he  found 
himself  compelled  to  sacrifice  the  two  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars,  he  could  place  the  wallet  in  a  locker  in 
The  Starry  Flag,  or  in  some  other  place,  which 
Would  fasten  the  guilt  upon  the  boy.  The  case 
was  by  no  means  hopeless,  though  it  did  not  work 
as  well  as  the  miser  had  hoped  and  expected. 

Levi  had  a  powerful  friend  in  Mr.  Watson.  He 
was  a  man  of  wealth  and  influence,  and  this  fact 
troubled  Mr.  Fairfield.  The  accused  would  be  ably 
defended  at  the  examination,  which  was  yet  to  take 
place.  Probably  there  would  be  smart  lawyers  em 
ployed,  who  would  indulge  in  ugly  cross-examinations, 
and  dig  down  into  the  deepest  depths  of  human 
nature.  It  gave  him  a  cold  sweat  to  think  of  the 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  185 

awkward  questions  he  would  be  asked,  and  of  the 
efforts  which  would  be  made  to  induce  him  to  con 
tradict  himself.  But  if  the  case  looked  desperate  on 
the  day  before  the  examination,  he  could  easily 
change  the  whole  aspect  of  it  by  carrying  out  the 
policy  he  had  adopted  when  he  found  the  wallet  in 
the  chimney.  Mr.  Fail-field  still  believed  that  Levi 
would  be  committed  for  trial,  and  that  he  should  be 
able  to  keep  the  money  himself. 

Dock  Vincent  had  delivered  his  cargo  of  fish  in 
Boston,  and  returned  to  Rockport,  where  he  expected 
to  obtain  another  freight  the  following  week.  As 
Levi  left  Old  Pier,  after  landing  his  passengers,  he 
passed  near  the  Griffin.  He  was  sorry  to  see  Dock 
come  back,  now  that  Mr.  Watson  had  returned.  He 
was  afraid  the  grasping  villain  would  make  a  demand 
upon  the  merchant  for  a  larger  reward,  and  perhaps 
mention  his  name.  Dock  was  a  mean  man,  and  capa 
ble  of  doing  very  mean  things.  As  the  Flag  stood 
away  from  the  shore,  Levi  almost  made  up  his  mind 
to  say  something  to  Mr.  Watson  about  the  "little 
plan,"  and  put  him  on  his  guard  against  the  extor 
tion  of  the  wretch ;  but,  as  it  might  look  like  a  hint, 
16* 


186  THE    STARRY   FLAG,    OR 

or  at  least  open  the  question  as  to  whether  the  mer 
chant  had  sufficiently  rewarded  those  who  saved  his 
daughter  and  himself,  he  decided  to  say  nothing  about 
the  matter. 

Levi  stood  out  from,  the  shore  to  the  deep  water, 
where  his  boat  could  float  at  low  tide,  and  came  to 
anchor  there.  After  furling  his  sails,  it  was  nearly 
dark,  and  he  concluded  to  "  pipe  to  supper."  He  had 
laid  in  a  stock  of  provisions,  consisting  of  a  small 
boiled  ham,  bread,  cakes,  and  pies.  He  had  no  facil 
ities  for  making  tea  or  coffee,  though  he  had  heard 
of  an  apparatus  for  making  coffee  with  a  spirit  lamp, 
which  he  intended  to  procure ;  but  he  had  a  breaker 
of  water  on  board,  with  whose  contents  he  was  sat 
isfied  for  the  present. 

The  young  fisherman,  without  being  an  epicure, 
was  very  fond  of  good  living;  and  certainly  his  fare 
on  board  the  boat  was  much  better  than  that  to 

r 

which  he  had  been  accustomed  at  the  house  of  his 
miserly  uncle;  and,  what  filled  the  measure  of  his 
satisfaction,  there  was  plenty  of  it.  Levi  supped  like 
a  prince,  and  having  cleared  away  his  table,  —  which 
was  a  swinging  board  in  the  cuddy,-— .he  sat  for  an 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  187 

hour  watching  the  undulating  sea  as  The  Starry 
Flag  gently  rose  and  fell  on  the  long,  regular  bil 
lows,  and  listening  to  their  dull  roar  as  they  broke 
upon  the  beaches  and  the  rocks. 

Then  he  thought  of  the  coming  examination,  of 
the  triumph  which  awaited  him  when  Mr.  Watson 
gave  his  evidence,  for  he  believed  that  he  would  fully 
establish  his  innocence.  The  darkness  gathered  around 
him,  and  it  was  time  to  pipe  below.  He  had  not 
yet  purchased  the  mattresses  for  the  bunks  of  his 
boat,  but  he  had  made  up  a  bed  of  old  clothes  in 
one  of  them,  using  the  tattered  sail  of  the  dingy 
dory  for  a  covering.  If  he  ate  like  a  prince,  he  slept 
better  than  princes  are  traditionally  said  to  sleep,  for 
he  did  not  wake  till  daylight. 

It  was  Sunday,  and,  as  he  had  procured  all  his  clothes 
from  his  uncle's,  he  dressed  himself  in  his  best,  after 
he  had  washed  down  the  boat  and  put  her  in  order. 
He  had  declined  an  offer  of  ten  dollars  to  take  a 
party  out  to  the  fishing-grounds  on  that  day,  and 
running  in  at  Old  Pier,  he  went  to  church  and  to 
Sunday  school  as  usual. 

The  next  morning  he  went  after  dog-fish,  and  pro- 


188  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

cured  a  full  cargo,  whose  livers  added  ten  dollars  U. 
the  funds  in  his  exchequer.  By  three  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  he  had  sold  his  fare  to  Mr.  Gayles,  and 
washed  up  the  boat,  so  that  she  was  as  clean  and 
sweet  as  a  lady's  barge.  He  intended  to  devote  the 
rest  of  the  day  to  a  pleasure-trip  to  Thatcher's  Island. 
The  occasion  was  to  be  complimentary  to  Bessie 
Watson.  He  had  spoken  of  the  trip  on  Saturday 
night,  and  Mr.  Watson  had  consented,  for  he  had 
perfect  confidence  in  Levi's  prudence,  as  well  as  his 
seamanship.  Mrs.  Watson  had  been  invited,  but  she 
was  always  so  sick  that  sailing  parties  afforded  her 
no  pleasure,  and  she  declined  to  go.  In  order  to 
make  the  occasion  more  agreeable  to  Bessie,  Levi 
had  invited  Estelle  Haskell,  Annie  Rowe,  Jenny 
Robarts,  John  Marshall,  and  Charley  Manning,  to 
join  the  party. 

Levi  always  did  "  the  handsome  thing ; "  and  though 
it  was,  perhaps,  rather  extravagant,  he  expended  three 
dollars  and  a  half  in  the  purchase  of  the  nicest  cake 
the  confectioners  made,  and  in  fruit  and  iced  lemon 
ade.  All  the  party  except  Bessie  Watson  were  at 
Old  Pier,  the  place  appointed,  at  four  o'clock.  But 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPB    ANN.  189 

where  was  the  bright,  particular  star  of  the  occasion  ? 
She  did  not  come.  Charley  Manning  volunteered  to 
go  up  to  Mr.  Babson's  and  inform  her  that  the  com 
pany  were  waiting  for  her. 

"  She  has  gone  clown  to  Central  Wharf,"  said 
Charley,  when  he  returned,  breathless  with  the 
haste  he  had  used.  "She  thought  that  was  the 
place  where  we  were  to  go  on  board." 

"All  right:  there  is  a  good  breeze,  and  we  can 
run  round  there  in  fifteen  minutes,"  replied  Levi,  as 
he  cast  off  from  the  wharf,  and  hoisted  the  jib. 

"But  she  may  get  tired  of  waiting,"  said  Jenny- 
Robarts;  "she  must  have  been  there  half  an  hour 
now." 

"There  is  Charley  Parsons  on  the  wharf;  he  will 
run  over  and  tell  her  to  wait  till  we  come,"  suggested 
Estelle. 

Charley  Parsons  was  a  good  fellow,  and  readily 
promised  to  do  Levi  this  fa^  or,  especially  as  he  was 
invited  to  join  the  party.  The  Starry  Flag  stood 
out  of  the  dock,  and  as  the  wind  was  west,  he  was 
obliged  to  stand  over  towards  Knowlton's  Wharf,  in 
order  to  get  a  "slant"  which  would  carry  him  clear 


190  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OB 

of  the  high  wall  that  protected  the  docks  from  storms. 
This  course  carried  him  close  to  the  Griffin,  which 
still  lay  at  anchor  in  the  bay.  As  The  Starry  Flag 
passed  her,  Levi  saw  Dock  Vincent  put  off  from  her 
in  a  boat,  and  pull  towards  Mike's  Point.  There 
was  plenty  of  wind,  though  it  was  not  heavy  enough 
to  make  the  proposed  trip  uncomfortable,  and  tho 
Flag  soon  disappeared  beyond  the  high  wall. 

Charley  Parsons,  who  had  been  commissioned  to 
see  Bessie,  was  a  good  boy;  and  as  he  had  been 
invited  to  go  with  the  party,  he  thought  it  proper 
on  his  way  to  run  home  and  tell  his  mother  thnt 
he  was  going.  When  he  reached  Central  Wharf, 
where  he  expected  to  find  Bessie,  she  was  not 
there. 

The  fair  young  lady  from,  the  city  was  very  fond 
of  the  salt  water,  as  we  have  already  more  than 
hinted,  and  she  was  especially  delighted  with  sail 
ing.  With  childish  impatience  she  had  hastened  to 
the  wharf  at  which  she  had  understood  the  party 
was  to  embark,  half  an  hour  before  the  appointed 
time.  She  had  nearly  exhausted  her  patience  when 
she  heard  the  clock  strike  four.  The  Starry  Flag 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF   CAPE   ANN.  191 

was  not  at  the  wharf,  and  was  not  to  be  seen  inside 
of  the  breakwater.  Then  she  inquired  of  a  man  who 
was  packing  fish  where  she  was.  He  had  just  seen 
the  Flag  at  Old  Pier,  and  he  told  her  so. 

Satisfied  that  some  mistake  had  been  made,  she 
hastened  to  the  wharf  indicated,  and  reached  the 
head  of  the  pier  just  in  time  to  see  the  boat  stand 
ing  over  towards  Knowlton's  Wharf.  Believing  that 
she  could  hail  her  from  Mike's  Point,  she  ran  with 
all  her  might,  and  did  not  stop  to  breathe  till  she 
stood  on  the  jagged  rocks  which  formed  the  head 
land.  But  The  Starry  Flag  had  gone  about  on  the 
other  tack,  and  was  now  half  way  over  to  the  great 
breakwater.  Charley  Parsons  had  missed  Bessie  by 
going  to  his  home  before  he  delivered  his  message. 

Just  as  Bessie  reached  the  rocks  on  Mike's  Point, 
Dock  Vincent  landed  from  his  boat,  and  making  his 
way  up  to  the  place  where  she  stood,  immediately 
recognized  her. 

"Ah,  Miss  Bessie,"  said  he. 

"  O,  Mr.  Dock,  I  am  so  tired  and  so  disappointed  1 " 
gasped  she,  exhausted  with  running. 

"Why,  what  is  the  matter,  miss?" 


192  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OB 

Bessie  explained  what  the  matter  was. 

"O,  well,  if  that  is  all,  Miss  Bessie,  I  can  soon 
make  it  all  right,"  replied  Dock. 

There  was  something  about  the  skipper  of  the 
Griffin  that  the  little  maiden  did  not  like.  He  was 
an  evil-looking  man,  and  though  he  had  rendered 
her  father  and  herself  a  great  service,  she  did  not 
feel  like  trusting  him,  and  she  instinctively  shrank 
from  him. 

"  What  can  you  do  for  me  ? "  she  asked,  timidly. 

"  Get  into  my  boat,  and  I  will  pull  off  and  put 
you  on  board  of  The  Starry  Flag,"  answered  Dock. 

"But  you  can't  catch  her." 

"She  will  come  about  in  a  moment,  and  stand 
over  this  way  again." 

"I  think  I  will  wait  here,  then,"  added  she,  for 
she  had  not  the  courage  to  go  in  a  boat  with  such 
an  evil  man;  and  the  instinct  of  self-preservation 
seemed  to  require  her  to  refuse  —  the  instinct  which 
Heaven  gives  to  the  virtuous  and  the  innocent. 

Dock  tried  to  persuade  her,  but  she  was  timidly 
firm,  and  refused  to  go. 

"I  won't  hurt  you,"  said  he,  rather  rudely. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  193 

"I  think  I  will  wait  here,  Mr.  Dock." 

"  I  think  you  won't,"  said  he,  suddenly  laying  hold 
of  her,  and  taking  her  up  in  his  arms  like  a  child. 

Bessie  tried  to  scream,  but  her  voice  failed  her. 
She  attempted  to  escape,  but  Dock  was  a  powerful 
man,  and  held  Tier  as  easily  as  he  would  have  held 
a  baby,  and  bore  her  down  the  rocks  towards  hia 
boat. 

This  was  part  of  his  "  little  plan." 
IT 


194  TliK    STABBY   FLAG,   OB 


CHAPTER  XVIL 

THE    EVIL   MAN. 

>  ESSIE  WATSON  was  paralyzed  with  terror 
at  the  violence  of  the  evil  man.  She  found 
it  impossible  to  struggle,  or  even  to  utter  a  scream. 
The  rocks  were  rough,  and  the  passage  to  the  water 
difficult  and  dangerous ;  but  Dock  threaded  his  way 
in  safety  over  the  slippery  boulders  to  the  boat,  in 
the  stern-sheets  of  which  he  deposited  his  burden. 

"  Don't  be  frightened,  Miss  Bessie,"  said  he,  in 
tones  as  soothing  as  his  rough  nature  could  com 
mand.  "  I  won't  hurt  you  if  you  keep  still  and 
behave  yourself." 

"Let  me  go  —  do,  Mr.  Dock,"  pleaded  she,  when 
she  could  find  voice  for  utterance. 

"  Keep  still  where  you  be,  and  I  won't  hurt  you," 
replied  Dock,  as  he  hauled  in  the  painter,  and 
pushed  off  the  boat. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OP    CAPE    ANN.  195 

"  What  are  you  going  to  do  with  me,  Mr.  Dock  ? " 
"  No   matter  now   what   I'm  going  to   do.      After 

I've  done  as  much  for  anybody  as  I  have  for  you,  I 

don't  like  to  be  insulted." 

"Insulted!      O,   Mr.   Dock,   what  have   I   done?" 

moaned  Bessie,  alarmed  by  the  words  of  her  terrible 

captor. 

"  You  wouldn't  trust  me,  even  after  I  have  saved 

your   life,   and    your   father's,   too.      I   offered   to   put 

you  on  board  of  The  Starry  Flag,  and  you  wouldn't 

let  me  do  it.     That  was  an  insult." 

"  I  didn't  mean  it,  Mr.  Dock  —  indeed  I  didn't !  " 
"No  matter  what  you  meant;  you  insulted  me.     I 

won't  hurt  you  if  you  keep  still  and  mind   what   I 

say.      But   if   you   attempt    to   holler,   or  make   any 

signs,  I'll  stuff  my  handkerchief  in  your  mouth,  and 

tie  you  hand  and  foot." 

"You    will    not    be    so    cruel,    Mr.  Dock.      I   am 

frightened  almost  to  death.      Do  let  me  go  back  to 

my  mother." 

"  Don't  whine ;  I  tell  you  I  won't  hurt  you." 
"  But  what  are  you  going  to  do  with  me  ? " 
"I'm  only  going  to  put  you  on  board  of  The 


196  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

Starry  Flag,  with  Levi.  Now,  shut  up,  and  don't 
say  another  word,"  answered  Dock,  shipping  his  oars, 
and  pulling  the  boat  round. 

Bessie  hoped  the  evil  man  would  do  what  he  said 
he  would,  but  her  fears  were  stronger  than  her 
hopes ;  and,  as  she  sat  in  the  boat,  her  delicate 
frame  trembled.  Dock  pulled  towards  the  Griffin, 
and  as  the  bout  receded  from  the  shore,  Bessie  dis 
covered  The  Starry  Flag  beyond  the  high  wall,  by 
Old  Pier. 

"  You  irill  put  me  into  The  Starry  Flag  —  won'' 
you  ? "  said  she,  rising  from  her  seat,  and  watching 
the  beautiful  sail-boat,  as  she  glided  swiftly  on  her 
course. 

"  Of  course  I  will.  Sit  down  and  keep  still,"  re 
plied  Dock,  gruffly. 

"  I  will  be  ever  so  much  obliged  to  you  if  you 
will ;  and  I  will  do  anything  for  you ! "  exclaimed 
Bessie,  earnestly. 

"  You  are  very  willing  to  trust  me  now,"  sneered 
Dock. 

"  I  will  trust  you  now,  Mr.  Dock.  I  didn't  mean 
any  harm,  and  I  wouldn't  insult  you  for  all  the  world." 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OP   CAPE    ANN.  197 

"Perhaps  you  wouldn't  now." 

In  a  few  moments  the  boat  was  within  hail  of 
the  Griffin,  on  whose  deck  were  two  men  watching 
them. 

"  Shake  out  the  mainsail,  and  hoist  it ! "  shouted 
Dock  to  his  little  crew. 

"  What  are  you  going  to  do  ? "  asked  Bessie,  terri 
fied  anew  by  this  ominous  order. 

"  I  am  going  round  to  Gloucester  to-night,"  he 
replied. 

"  But  you  were  going  ashore  when  you  met  me." 

"  I  have  changed  my  mind." 

"And  you  are  not  rowing  towards  The  Starry 
Flag  now,"  added  the  fair  prisoner,  beginning  to  lose 
all  hope  again. 

"  I  can't  catch  the  sail-boat  with  a  pair  of  oars," 
answered  Dock,  as  the  boat  came  up  alongside  the 
Griffin.  "  Now,  jump  aboard  my  vessel." 

"I  don't  want  to,"  pleaded  Bessie. 

"It  don't  make  any  difference  whether  you  want 
to  or  not  —  you  will.  Come,  be  lively !  " 

"  You  will  put  me  on  board  of  The  Starry  Flag  — 
won't  you,  Mr.  Dock?" 
17* 


198  THE    STAKBY   FLAG,   OB 

"  Of  course  I  will.  Don't  I  tell  you  I'm  going 
round  to  Gloucester?  I'll  run  in  by  the  breakwater, 
and  hail  the  Flag.  What  are  you  afraid  of?" 

Bessie  could  hardly  tell  what  she  was  afraid  of! 
Dock  Vincent's  plan  certainly  seemed  to  be  a  good 
one,  and  he  appeared  to  be  carrying  it  out  in  good 
faith.  Her  common  sense  assured  her  that  it  would 
be  impossible  to  overtake  a  swift-sailing  craft,  like 
The  Starry  Flag,  in  a  row-boat.  But  though  it  all 
looked  right,  and  Dock  promised  fairly,  the  tones 
and  the  manner  of  the  evil  man  were  all  against 
him,  and,  try  as  hard  as  she  could  to  trust  him,  she 
found  it  utterly  impossible  to  do  so. 

"Come,  I'll  help  you  on  board,"  said  the  skipper, 
as  he  took  her  by  the  arm,  and  led  her  to  the 
vessel's  side. 

His  touch,  in  spite  of  herself,  seemed  to  thrill  her 
with  horror.  He  was  a  terrible  man  to  her,  but  she 
could  not  resist  him.  With  Dock's  assistance,  she 
climbed  over  the  rail,  and  reached  the  deck  of  the 
schooner,  whither  she  was  followed  by  her  captor, 
when  he  had  secured  the  boat. 

"  Now,  you  may  go  down  into  the  cabin,  and  stay 


THE  YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  199 

there  till  I  call  you,"  continued  Dock,  pointing  to 
the  companion-way. 

"  I  don't  want  to  go  down ;  I'll  stay  on  deck,  if 
you  please,"  replied  Bessie. 

M  But  I  don't  please,  and  you  must  go  down  into 
the  cabin,"  added  the  skipper,  rudely.  "You  are  in 
the  way  on  deck,  and  if  you  should  get  knocked 
overboard  by  the  swinging  of  a  boom,  what  would 
your  father  say  to  me  ?  " 

"  O,  I  will  be  very  careful,  Mr.  Dock ;  and  really 
there  is  no  danger  of  my  being  knocked  overboard. 
Don't  make  me  go  into  the  cabin,  if  you  please.  I  like 
to  look  at  the  water,  and  the  waves,  and  the  vessels." 

"  I  don't  want  to  put  my  hands  on  you  again,  but 
if  you  don't  go  below  I  shall  have  to  do  so." 

Bessie  looked  up  into  his  ugly  face.  There  was 
an  expression  of  firmness  so  dark  and  malignant 
upon  it  that  she  dared  not  disobey  him.  Slowly  she 
descended  the  steep  ladder  into  the  gloomy  cabin, 
and  she  felt  as  though  she  were  going  down  into 
the  damp  and  awful  tomb.  It  was  not  the  clean 
and  tidy  cabin  which  may  be  found  on  board  our 
trim  packets ;  but  it  was  dirty,  the  furniture  was 


HOO  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

broken  and  disorderly,  and  a  vile  odor  haunted  th« 
place  —  the  combined  effluvia  of  bilge  water,  greasy 
cooking,  and  mouldy  woollens. 

She  seated  herself  on  a  locker  before  one  of  the 
bunks,  which,  in  place  of  a  berth-sack,  was  furnished 
with  old  coats  and  ragged  garments  covered  with 
slush  and  dirt.  To  a  young  lady  brought  up  amid 
the  refinements  of  wealth  and  taste,  it  was  a  loath 
some  hole,  and  Bessie  sighed  for  the  pure,  fresh  air 
of  the  open  deck.  By  this  time  the  men  had  re 
moved  the  stops  from  the  mainsail,  and  the  sail  was 
hoisted.  The  canvas  was  thus  removed  from  a  sky 
light  in  the  deck,  and  the  sun  shed  his  bright  rays 
down  into  the  gloomy  cabin,  removing  some  of  its 
sombre  aspect,  but  revealing  more  clearly  the  filth 
and  disorder  of  the  place. 

Then  the  poor  girl,  sick  at  heart,  and  made  nearly 
BO  at  a  less  poetical  organ  by  the  vile  odors  of  her 
floating  tomb,  heard  the  rattling  of  the  chain  cable 
as  the  anchor  was  hoisted.  She  looked  up  the 
companion-way,  and  saw  the  jib  fly  up  on  its  stay, 
and  the  vessel  swing  round  to  her  course.  The 
rudder  creaked,  the  sehooner  heeled  over,  and  she 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  201 

heard  the  waves  rippling  under  the  counter.  The 
Griffin  was  in  motion,  and  a  few  minutes  would 
decide  whether  Dock  Vincent  intended  to  put  her 
on  board  The  Starry  Flag  or  not.  It  was  a  moment 
of  terrible  anxiety  to  her. 

She  could  not  think  of  any  possible  reason  why 
Dock  Vincent  should  wish  to  keep  her  on  board  of 
his  vessel.  She  could  not  see  what  he  was  to  gain 
by  it.  But,  pure,  innocent  maiden,  she  had  no  sus 
picion  of  the  wickedness  which  lurks  in  some  men's 
hearts.  She  had  read,  but  never  realized,  that  some 
will  sell  their  souls  for  the  gold  which  perishes  in 
the  using.  She  could  not  believe  that  Dock  meant 
any  harm  to  her,  or  even  that  he  meant  to  detain 
her  on  board  beyond  a  few  hours. 

The  Griffin  rose  and  fell  on  the  long  billows,  as 
she  sped  on  her  way,  whither  Bessie  knew  not, 
though  she  still  hoped  that  she  should  be  delivered 
over  to  the  charge  of  the  gallant  Levi,  in  whom  she 
had  almost  as  much  confidence  as  in  her  own  father; 
for  his  mild  eye,  his  gentle  bearing,  and  his  noble 
conduct,  invited  her  admiration,  and  assured  her  she 
might  trust  him. 


202  THE    STARRY    FLAG,   OE 

The  moments  were  long  and  heavy  to  her.  Sh«» 
glanced  at  her  watch,  and  found  that  it  was  five 
o'clock.  She  could  not  tell  which  way  the  vessel 
was  sailing,  nor  where  she  was.  Dock  did  not  come 
near  her  again,  though  she  occasionally  heard  his 
voice  over  her  head,  as  he  stood  at  the  helm  and 
gave  his  orders  to  the  men  on  the  forecastle.  She 
wanted  to  go  on  deck,  but  she  dared  not  do  so,  for 
she  feared  the  act  would  bring  the  frowns  and  the 
abuse  of  the  evil  man  upon  her. 

The  main  cabin  of  the  Griffin  had  four  berths, 
only  two  of  which  appeared  to  be  used  by  the  men, 
the  other  two  being  occupied  as  places  for  storage. 
Bessie  had  already  discovered  two  doors  at  the  after 
part  of  the  cabin.  She  ventured  to  open  one  of 
these,  and  found  a  diminutive  state-room,  in  which 
was  one  of  the  stern  windows  of  the  vessel.  Eagerly 
she  looked  out  upon  the  heaving  sea,  to  obtain  some 
intelligence  which  would  indicate  the  fate  in  store 
for  her;  and  hope  almost  deserted  her  sinking  heart 
when  she  found  that  the  Griffin  was  headed  from 
the  land,  at  least  two  miles  off.  She  could  see  the 
high  wall  or  breakwater  which  protected  Old  Pier. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAX    OF    CAPB    ANK.          203 

Off  in  another  direction  she  could  see  Straitsmouth 
Light,  which  Levi  had  pointed  out  to  her  when  she 
was  sailing  with  him  on  Saturday  afternoon.  She 
knew  that  The  Starry  Flag,  in  going  to  Thatcher's 
Island,  the  destination  of  the  pleasure  party,  must 
pass  very  near  to  this  light-house.  It  was  absolutely 
certain,  therefore,  that  Dock  Vincent  did  not  mean 
to  keep  his  promise. 

She  threw  herself  on  a  bench  in  the  little  state, 
loom,  which  was  hardly  high  enough  to  permit  her 
to  stand  up,  and  wept  as  though  her  heart  would 
break.  The  tears  which  had  refused  to  flow  before 
came  freely  now.  Then  she  knelt  down  and  said  all 
the  prayers  she  had  ever  learned  from  her  mother's 
lips.  They  afforded  her  some  comfort ;  but  the 
future  was  so  big  and  black  with  terrors  that  no 
peace  came  even  from  prayer,  though  her  heart  was 
strengthened  by  her  devotions. 

While  she  was  still  gazing  at  the  distant  land, 
she  heard  the  step  of  Dock  Vincent  on  the  cabin 
ladder.  Fearing  that  he  would  abuse  her  for  pre 
suming  to  enter  the  state-room,  she  hastily  returned 
to  the  cabin,  closing  the  door  behind  her. 


204  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"  O,  Mr.  Dock ! "  cried  she,  as  he  stepped  down 
upon  the  cabin  floor. 

"Well,  what's  the  matter  now?"  demanded  he, 
with  brutal  coarseness. 

"Will  you  tell  me  what  you  are  going  to  do  witli 
me?"  pleaded  the  poor  girl.  . 

"  If  it  makes  any  difference  to  you,  I  will.  I'm 
going  to  make  some  money  out  of  you." 

"  If  you  will  put  me  on  shore  again,  my  father 
will  give  you  all  the  money  you  want,"  sobbed 
Bessie. 

"  I  know  he  will,  but  not  yet,"  sneered  Dock. 

"  Do  put  me  on  shore ;  I  will  give  you  my  watch 
if  you  will." 

"  Let  me  see  it." 

She  gave  him  the  watch  and  chain. 

"  I'll  see  about  it,"  he  replied,  putting  the  watch 
into  his  pocket. 

The  "  little  plan "  appeared  thus  far  to  be  a 
luccess. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  205 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

THE    STARRY    FLAG    GOES    TO    SEA. 

ISN'T  she  a  nice  boat!"  exclaimed  Jenny  Rob- 
arts,  as  The  Starry  Flag  bounded  over  the  long 
waves  that  rolled  in  from  the  open  sea. 

"Perfectly  splendid!"  replied  Estelle. 

"She  is  a  good  sea  boat  —  isn't  she,  Levi?"  asked 
the  more  practical  Charley  Manning. 

"She  is  the  best  sea  boat  on  the  Cape.  After 
what  she  went  through  in  the  squall  off  Brace's  Cove, 
the  other  day,  I  am  satisfied  that  she  will  stand  any 
thing,"  replied  Levi,  with  enthusiasm.  "I  shouldn't 
be  afraid  to  cross  the  Atlantic  in  this  boat." 

"Cross  the  Atlantic!"  ejaculated  John  Marshall. 

"  I  mean  so,"  added  Levi,  quietly.      "  She   behaves 

like  a  lady  in  a  heavy  sea.     She  don't  stick  her  nose 

into   it,  like   a   pig;   but   she  jumps  over  the  waves, 

and   don't  make   any  fuss   about  it   either.      I  don't 

18 


206  THE    STAKRT    FLAG,    OB 

suppose  she  would  be  very  comfortable  to  cross  tha 
ocean  in;  but  so  far  as  the  safety  is  concerned,  I 
would  just  as  lief  do  it  as  not." 

"I  shouldn't  want  to  go  with  you,"  said  Jenny. 

"I  shouldn't  want  to  have  you,"  replied  Levi, 
rather  ungallantly.  "  I  don't  like  to  have  girls 
round  when  it  blows  hard." 

"You  would  like  to  have  Bessie  Watson  round 
whether  it  blows  or  not,"  pouted  Jenny. 

"  I  don't  think  I  should,"  continued  Levi.  "  Whej 
girls  get  wet  and  drabbled,  they  feel  mean,  and  want 
to  go  ashore." 

"Bessie  wouldn't,  if  you  were  in  the  boat,  Levi," 
interposed  Estelle.  "  She  thinks  you  are  the  great' 
est  man  in  the  world  —  except  her  father." 

"Bessie  is  a  nice  little  girl,  and  she  didn't  make 
any  fuss  about  it  even  when  she  got  carried  off  by 
the  sea  the  other  day;  but  I  don't  believe  in  any 
girls  going  on  the  water  in  rough  weather;  it  isn't 
the  place  for  them.  Women  can't  vote,  and  they 
ought  to  stay  at  home  when  it  blows  hard ;  besides, 
they  are  all  the  time  getting  seasick." 

"  Pooh  !  men  get  seasick  too,"  replied  Jenny,  smartly. 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  207 

Levi  knew  that  some  men  did  get  seasick ;  but  he 
had  not  much  respect  for  such  men,  and  he  permit 
ted  the  argument  to  go  against  him,  for  he  had  come 
to  some  rather  difficult  navigation  needing  attention 
at  the  entrance  to  Boat  Cove.  The  young  fisher 
man  was  good  for  any  problem  in  sailing  a  boat, 
and  the  Flag  was  run  safely  through  the  cove  to  the 
two  piers,  which  yawned,  like  the  half-closed  jawe 
of  some  gigantic  monster,  at  the  entrance  to  the 
dock. 

"She  isn't  here!"  shouted  Charley  Parsons,  from, 
the  end  of  Central  Wharf,  as  the  boat  approached. 

"  Where  is  she  ?  "   demanded  Levi. 

"A  man  says  he  told  her  you  were  at  Old  Pier, 
and  she  has  gone  over  there  to  find  you." 

"  Run  over  and  tell  her  we  are  here,  Charley,"  said 
Levi,  vexed  at  the  delay 

Charley  Parsons  hastened  away  to  execute  his 
commission,  while  Levi  ran  The  Starry  Flag  into 
the  dock,  and  moored  her  at  the  steps  on  Cen 
tral  Wharf.  In  fifteen  minutes  the  messenger  re 
turned,  having  been  unable  to  find  Bessie. 

"I  don't  understand   it,"  said  Levi,  who  would  ai 


208  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

soon  have  thought  of  going  to  Thatcher's  Island 
without  the  boat  as  without  Bessie. 

"  Nor  I  either,"  replied  Charley.  "  She  wasn't  on 
the  pier,  or  anywhere  round  there." 

It  was  decided  that  the  whole  party  should  land 
and  go  in  search  of  Bessie.  In  half  an  hour  one  of 
them  reported  that  he  had  met  a  boy  who  had  seen 
Bessie  going  out  towards  Mike's  Point. 

"It's  after  five  o'clock  now,  and  it's  no  use  to 
think  of  going  down  to  Thatcher's  Island  to-night," 
said  Levi,  quite  as  much  disappointed  as  any  of  his 
party  when  he  had  reached  this  prudent  conclusion. 
"We  must  put  it  off  till  to-morrow  afternoon;  but 
if  you  like,  I  will  take  you  round  to  Mike's  Point, 
and  see  if  we  can  find  Bessie." 

Of  course  live  boys  and  girls  could  not  decline  this 
invitation,  and  The  Starry  Flag  cast  off  from  the 
steps,  and  ran  out  of  the  dock.  When  she  had  passed 
the  breakwater,  Levi  saw  the  Griffin,  standing  off  to 
the  north-east;  and  though  he  wondered  where  she 
was  going  in  that  direction,  he  did  not  suspect  that 
Bessie  Watson  was  an  involuntary  passenger  on 
board  of  her.  Levi  ran  the  boat  in  as  near  to 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  209 

Knowlton's  Beach  as  the  depth  of  water  would 
permit,  then  rounded  Mike's  Point,  and  skirted 
Back  Beach  till  he  came  to  Old  Pier,  having 
obtained  a  full  view  of  the  shore  for  half  a  mile, 
without  discovering  Bessie. 

"I  can't  think  where  she  is,"  said  Levi;  and  he 
made  fast  the  painter  to  the  pier.  "  We  must  give 
up  the  trip  for  to-day;  but  if  you  will  all  be  here  at 
four  o'clock  to-morrow,  we  will  go  then." 

With  blank  faces  the  disappointed  party  reluctant 
ly  landed,  for  it  was  only  a  partial  compensation  to 
know  that  the  excursion  would  take  place  the  next 
day.  Levi,  after  locking  up  the  cuddy,  in  which  the 
materials  for  the  feast  had  been  placed,  landed  him 
self;  for,  though  it  was  of  no  consequence,  now  that 
the  trip  had  been  postponed,  where  Bessie  was,  he 
was  curious  to  know  what  had  become  of  her.  At 
tended  by  his  party,  he  went  up  to  Mr.  Babson's. 
Mrs.  Watson  was  very  much  surprised  to  learn  that 
Levi  had  not  seen  her  daughter,  who  had  not  been 
home  since  she  left  to  take  the  excursion.  Levi  and 
his  companions  volunteered  to  continue  the  search 
for  Bessie,  as  her  mother  appeared  to  be  anxious 
18* 


210  THE    STABKY   FLAG,   OB 

about  her,  though  no  one  suspected  that  any  harm 
had  befallen  her. 

At  seven  o'clock,  when  Mr.  Watson  returned  from 
Boston,  Bessie  had  not  been  found,  and  anxiety 
had  given  place  to  alarm  in  the  mind  of  her  fond 
and  devoted  mother.  The  search  was  no  longer  left 
to  the  girls  and  boys,  but  the  constables  and  all  the 
available  men  and  women  were  inquiring  at  the 
houses,  and  examining  all  of  the  out  of  the  way 
places  in  the  town.  At  nine  o'clock  the  most 
searching  investigation  assured  the  agonized  father 
and  mother  that  she  was  not  in  the  town.  It 
was  feared  that  she  had  fallen  into  the  water,  or 
over  some  rocky  cliff,  and  it  was  believed  that 
her  lifeless  form  would  be  found,  if  found  at  all, 
in  the  water,  or  mangled  beneath  some  jagged 
steep. 

The  people  of  the  town  —  warm-hearted  and  tender 
to  those  in  sorrow  and  suffering  —  were  full  of  sym 
pathy  for  Bessie's  father  and  mother,  whose  cup  of 
grief  seemed  to  be  full  to  the  brim,  and  everything 
was  done  which  the  power  of  man  could  accomplish 
to  find  the  lost  one. 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE   ANN.  211 

The  meeting  between  Dock  Vincent  and  Bessie 
bad  taken  place  on  the  extremity  of  Mike's  Point, 
behind  the  rocks,  where  no  one  on  the  shore  side 
could  see  them;  and  no  person  appeared  to  have 
noticed  the  maiden  in  the  boat  as  her  captor  con 
veyed  her  to  the  Griffin. 

At  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening,  after  the  village 
and  its  surroundings  had  been  thoroughly  searched, 
Levi  went  down  to  Old  Pier,  where  his  boat  lay, 
intending  to  run  along  the  shore  in  her,  with  a  faint 
hope  of  obtaining  some  tidings  of  the  lost  one. 

"Gracious!"  exclaimed  Levi,  as  he  stepped  upon 
the  half  deck  of  the  Flag. 

This  ejaculation  was  called  forth  by  the  thought 
which  suddenly  flashed  upon  him  that  he  had  seen 
the  Griffin  go  to  sea  about  the  time  Bessie  so  strange 
ly  disappeared.  Levi  sat  down  hi  the  standing  room 
to  gather  up  his  ideas. 

"That's  so!"  said  he,  bringing  his  fist  down  with 
tremendous  energy  upon  the  half  deck.  "  I'll  bet  my 
life  this  is  some  of  Dock  Vincent's  doings!  What 
did  he  mean  by  the  little  plan  he  wanted  me  to 
help  him  about?  That's  what's  the  matter!" 


212  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

Suddenly  the  young  skipper  jumped  up  as  though 
he  had  been  harpooned,  cast  loose  his  sails,  hoisted 
them,  and  shoved  off  from  the  pier.  The  wind  was 
still  west,  and  blowing  a  six-knot  breeze.  Running 
out  of  the  dock,  he  headed  The  Starry  Flag  to  the 
north-east,  —  the  direction  in  which  the  Griffin  had 
departed,  —  and  seated  himself  at  the  helm  for  a 
further  consideration  of  the  circumstances  of  the 
extraordinary  occasion.  He  recalled  all  that  he 
could  remember  of  what  Dock  had  said  about  his 
"little  plan."  He  had  been  satisfied  from  the  be 
ginning  that  the  unprincipled  skipper  of  the  Grif 
fin  intended  to  extort  a  large  sum  of  money  from 
the  father  of  Bessie ;  but  he  had  never  suspected 
that  he  meant  to  do  so  by  resorting  to  such  a 
desperate  scheme  as  the  abduction  of  the  little 
maiden. 

"I'll  follow  him  to  the  end  of  the  earth;  and  I'll 
find  him  too!"  said  Levi,  out  loud,  as  The  Starry 
Flag  dashed  along  on  her  course  through  the  gloom 
of  the  night.  "  I  wish  I  had  spent  some  of  my  money 
in  buying  a  revolver,  for  I  shall  want  it  now;  and 
I'd  shoot  him,  after  this,  just  as  quick  as  I  would  a 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  213 

dead  cat!  I  wonder  where  he's  gone  to.  That's 
what  I'd  like  to  know  just  now.  If  Dock  isn't  a 
fool,  then  the  fools  are  all  dead.  He'll  get  his  neck 
stretched,  or  spend  some  of  his  life  in  a  cage  for 
this  job." 

There  were  a  compass  and  a  lantern  on  board  of 
The  Starry  Flag,  the  former  having  been  left  in  her 
by  Mr.  Hatch,  to  be  used  in  case  of  fog,  while  the 
latter  had  been  procured  that  day  by  Levi,  to  enable 
him  to  read  in  the  cuddy  after  dark.  He  was  so 
familiar  with  the  coast  that  he  did  not  need  the 
compass  at  present;  but  he  placed  it  on  the  seat 
under  the  tiller,  and  lighted  the  lantern  to  enable 
him  to  see  its  face. 

But  where  had  Dock  Vincent  gone  with  his  fair 
prisoner?  This  was  the  all-important  question  to 
Levi.  It  was  impossible  to  answer  it.  The  villain 
hed  been  stupid  enough  to  mention  that  he  had  a 
"  little  plan,"  but  he  had  not  been  fool  enough  to  tell 
what  it  was.  The  Griffin  had  gone  to  the  north-east 
—  that  was  all  the  adventurous  young  skipper  had 
to  guide  him,  and  for  several  hours  he  stood  on  in 
that  direction. 


214  THH    STARRY   FLAG,   OB 

Levi  was  not  proficient  in  the  science  of  naviga 
tion,  but  he  had  some  valuable  information  on  the 
subject,  entirely  practical  in  its  character.  He  made 
the  proper  allowance  for  the  variation  of  the  com 
pass,  which  he  had  learned  from  the  skipper  of  a 
fisherman.  The  Griffin  was  an  old  stunt-bowed  craft, 
that  could  not  make  more  than  four  knots  in  a  seven- 
knot  breeze,  and  Levi  was  confident  that  the  Flag, 
small  as  she  was  comparatively,  would  outsail  her. 
If  he  could  only  get  on  the  right  course,  he  was 
pretty  sure  that  he  could  overtake  her. 

When  well  off  the  land,  the  skipper  of  the  Flag 
supped  on  cold  ham,  cakes,  and  lemonade.  He  was 
satisfied  that  he  had  undertaken  a  big  job;  but  he 
was  determined  to  put  it  through.  The  Griflin  had 
four  hours  the  start  of  him,  but  the  sail-boat  was 
new  and  clean,  and  the  chances  were  in  her  favor. 

About  two  hours  out  from  land,  The  Starry  Flag 
ran  close  to  a  large  schooner  laden  with  lumber. 
Levi  hailed  her,  and  was  informed  by  the  man  at 
the  helm  that  she  had  passed  close  to  an  old  vessel 
with  a  great  square  patch  in  her  foresail,  just  at 
dusk. 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  215 

"That's  the  Griffin!"  exclaimed  the  delighted 
skipper  of  the  Flag,  as  he  filled  away  again; 
and  all  night  long  he  stood  on  his  course  to  the 
north-east. 

The  next  morning,  not  only  Bessie  Watson,  but 
Levi  and  The  Starry  Flag  were  missing. 


216  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OB 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

DOCK  VINCENT'S  LETTER. 

BESSIE'S  watch  was  a  beautiful  little  gold  one, 
given  to  her  by  her  father.  Though  she  valued 
it  very  highly  both  as  a  gift  and  for  its  own  sake,  she 
hardly  thought  of  her  loss  when  Dock  Vincent  very 
coolly  put  the  watch  and  chain  into  his  pocket. 
It  was  worth  as  much  as  The  Starry  Flag  had  cost, 
but  no  earthly  goods  seemed  to  have  any  value  at 
all  to  her  then.  Her  terrible  situation  was  all  she 
could  think  of,  and  she  feared  she  should  never  again 
see  her  father  and  mother. 

The  evil  man  was  a  constant  terror  to  her.  She 
was  afraid  of  him;  and  his  ugly  eye  looked  to  her 
like  the  eye  of  a  demon.  She  was  love,  and  purity, 
laid  truth;  he  was  all  that  is  gross,  and  vile,  and 
wicked. 

"You   will   put  me    on    shore,  Mr.   Dock  —  won't 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    AXIS.  21*3 

you  ?     I  will  not  ask  you  for  my  watch  if  you  will," 
said  Bessie. 

"  You  needn't  be  at  all  alarmed,  Miss  Bessie ;  I 
won't  hurt  a  hair  of  your  head,  nor  let  any  one  else 
do  so.  You  are  just  as  safe  here  as  you  would  be 
in  your  father's  house,  though  I  suppose  it  isn't  quite 
so  comfortable  a  place,"  replied  Dock,  who  might 
have  felt  some  remorse  at  the  grief  and  pain  he  had 
caused  in  the  heart  of  the  poor  girl. 

"What  have  you  done  this  for,  Mr.  Dock?  Why 
are  you  sailing  away  with  me  from  my  parents? 
Won't  you  please  to  inform  me  ?  Perhaps,  if  you  will 
tell  me  what  you  want,  I  can  help  you  to  get  it." 

"Perhaps  you  can,"  replied  Dock,  musing;  "but 
we  won't  talk  about  that  to-night." 

"  Won't  you  tell  me  where  you  are  going  ? "  plead 
ed  Bessie. 

"  I  hardly  know  myself;  but  don't  go  to  -being 
frightened,  for,  I  tell  you  again,  no  one  shall  hurt 
you.  There  is  one  of  those  little  state-rooms  that 
you  can  have  all  to  yourself.  You  may  go  in  there, 
and  lock  yourself  in.  But  you  haven't  had  any 
supper." 

19 


218  THB    STARRY   FLAG,    OB 

"O,  I  don't  want  any  supper.  If  you  will  only 
tell  me,  Mr.  Dock,  what  you  mean  to  do  with  me, 
that  is  all  I  will  ask." 

"I  guess  we  won't  talk  about  that  to-night.  I'll 
send  a  man  down  to  get  some  supper  for  you,  and 
we  will  talk  over  all  these  things  to-morrow." 

Bessie  could  not  induce  the  evil  man  to  disclose 
his  plans  to  her,  and  she  gave  up  the  point  in 
despair.  But  his  solemn  assurance  that  she  should 
not  be  harmed  was  some  comfort  to  her,  though 
she  felt  that  she  could  not  trust  him.  In  his 
rude  manner  he  had  attempted  to  be  kind  to  her. 
He  was  not  a  pirate,  nor  a  freebooter,  for  his  lan 
guage  was  as  respectful  as  his  natural  coarseness 
would  allow  him  to  use.  She  sat  down  in  the 
gloom  of  the  dirty  cabin,  to  think  of  the  grief 
and  anxiety  which  awaited  her  parents  when  her 
L  absence  should  be  discovered.  She  thought  her 
mother  might  suppose  she  had  gone  to  Thatcher's 
Island  in  The  Starry  Flag,  and  she  might  not  be 
missed  till  a  late  hour  in  the  evening.  She  con 
cluded  that  Levi  had  made  the  excursion  without 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OP   CAPE    ANN.  219 

her,  for  he  would  not  wish  to  disappoint  the  rest 
of  the  party. 

She  wept  when  she  thought  of  her  mother — the 
fond  and  devoted  one  who  seemed  to  live  only  for 
her.  She  would  think  that  her  daughter  was 
drowned,  for  no  one  could  possibly  suspect  that 
she  had  been  carried  off  by  the  evil  man  —  by 
him  who  had  saved  her  father's  life. 

Poor  Bessie  was  as  sad  and  miserable  as  she 
could  be,  and  the  long,  gloomy  night  before  her 
looked  like  an  age  of  sorrow  and  trial. 

Dock  Vincent  went  on  deck,  and  presently  one 
of  the  two  men  who  formed  the  crew  of  the  Griffin 
came  down  into  the  cabin,  and  made  a  fire  in  the 
little  galley,  or  cooking  stove,  which  was  fastened  to 
the  floor  in  one  corner  of  the  dingy  den. 

"Can  you  tell  me  where  we  are  going?"  asked 
Bessie  of  this  man. 

"I  can't,  miss;  I  don't  know  anything  about  it," 
replied  the  sailor.  "I  wash  my  hands  of  this 
business." 

"Don't  you  know  what  Mr.  Dock  is  going  to  do 
with  me?" 


220  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OK 

"  I  have  no  idee,  miss ;  but  he  says  he  ain't  going 
to  hurt  you.  You  see,  we  sailors  have  to  mind  the 
cap'n,  and  we  don't  know  nothin  about  his  business; 
but  I'll  say  this  to  you,  miss:  he  shan't  do  you  no 
hurt.  Barnes  and  me  is  agreed  on  this  point." 

"My  father  and  mother  will  be  terribly  alarmed 
when  I  don't  come  home,"  sighed  Bessie. 

"  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  they  was ;  but  I  don't  see 
as  we  can  do  anything  about  it.  We'll  see  that  you 
ain't  hurt,  and  if  you'll  keep  still,  we'll  find  out  what 
can  be  done  for  you." 

"Thank  you,"  sobbed  Bessie. 

"Don't  cry,  miss;  may  be  we  shall  be  able  to  do 
something  for  you  before  morning." 

"O,  if  you  will!" 

"We'll  keep  a  lookout  and  see.  Now,  miss,  what 
can  you  eat  for  your  supper  ?  We  haven't  got  much, 
but  I'll  do  the  best  I  can  for  you.  I'll  brile  a  mack 
erel  for  you,  or  give  you  some  tea  and  toast." 

"I  don't  wish  for  anything,"  replied  Bessie. 

But  Dove,  the  man  who  did  the  cooking,  spoke 
BO  kindly  to  her,  and  pressed  her  so  hard,  that  she 
finally  consented  to  take  some  tea  and  toast,  which 


THE    YOTJNG    FISHERMAN    OP    CAPE    ANN.  221 

he  prepared  for  her.  With  much  difficulty,  and 
rather  to  please  Dove  than  herself  she  partook, 
though  very  sparingly,  of  the  food,  and  then  went 
to  her  state-room,  locking  the  door  behind  her. 

Dock  and  his  men  took  their  suppers  by  turns ; 
but  nothing  was  said  about  Bessie.  When  they 
went  on  deck,  Dove  and  Barnes  made  an  em 
phatic  protest  against  the  high  crime  which  Dock 
Vincent  was  committing,  and  in  which  they  had 
been  compelled  to  take  a  part. 

"Dove,  you  never  saw  a  thousand  dollars  in  all 
your  life,"  said  the  unprincipled  skipper;  "nor  you 
neither,  Barnes.  I  don't  ask  either  of  you  to  do 
or  say  anything ;  but  I  will  give  you  a  thousand 
dollars  apiece  to  keep  your  places  in  the  vessel 
for  three  or  four  days  more,  or,  may  be,  a  week. 
Yes ;  and  I  will  give  you  the  vessel  besides." 

The  men  were  tempted  by  this  magnificent  oifer, 
as  they  regarded  it.  Dock  then  assured  them  that 
Bessie  should  be  treated  like  a  lady,  and  not  a  hair 
of  her  head  harmed,  and  that  she  should  be  restored 
to  her  parents  within  three  or  four  days.  They  agreed 
to  let  him  know  their  decision  in  the  morning;  and 
19* 


222  THE    8  TABBY    FLAG,    OB 

Dock  went  down  into  the  cabin  again.      Taking  the 

* 

lantern  down  from  the  beam  on  which  it  hung,  he 
placed  it  upon  the  table.  Procuring  a  bottle  of  ink, 
a  pen,  and  some  paper  from  his  state-room,  he  wrote 
for  about  two  hours;  and  then,  after  going  on  deck, 
he  turned  in. 

Perhaps  Bessie  slept  a  little  —  she  could  not  tell, 
in  the  morning,  whether  she  had  or  not;  but  it  was 
the  most  unhappy  night  she  had  ever  known.  Twenty 
times,  at  least,  she  had  prayed  for  herself  and  for  her 
parents  —  that  she  might  be  saved  from  harm,  and 
that  they  might  be  comforted.  Dove  gave  her  a 
broiled  mackerel  and  some  black  coffee  for  her  break- 
fast,  of  which  she  partook  to  please  him,  he  had 
taken  so  much  pains  to  suit  her. 

In  the  forenoon  Dock  came  into  the  cabin,  sat 
down  at  the  table,  and  read  what  he  had  written 
the  night  before.  He  was  still  busy  with  the  de 
tails  of  the  "little  plan."  When  he  had  read  the 
sheet  before  him,  he  glanced  at  the  door  of  Bes 
sie's  state-room,  which  was  still  closed.  Then  he 
called  her  name,  and  she  came  out. 

"Do   you   want   me?"   asked   she.     "I   hope  you 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF   CAPE    ANN.  223 

are  ready  to  tell  me  what  you  are  going  to  do 
with  me." 

"I  am  ready.  Your  father  is  a  very  rich  man,  I 
suppose,"  replied  Dock. 

"I  suppose  he  is,"  added  Bessie. 

"He  is  worth  two  or  three  hundred  thousand  dol 
lars,  most  likely." 

"I'm  sure  I  don't  know." 

"Well,  I  know  he  is,"  continued  Dock.  "For  a 
man  worth  as  much  money,  he  is  the  meanest  man 
I  know  of." 

"My  father!"  exclaimed  Bessie,  surprised  and  in* 
dignant. 

"He  gave  me  a  hundred-dollar  bill  for  saving 
his  life.  That  was  mean." 

"I  am  sure  he  will  give  you  more  if  you  are 
not  satisfied.  My  father  gives  away  ever  BO  much 
money  every  year." 

"He  doesn't  give  it  judiciously,  then,"  said  Dock, 
with  a  sneer.  "  He  ought  to  have  given  me  at  least 
ten  thousand  dollars  after  I  pulled  him  out  of  the 
water.  What  good  would  his  money  have  done  him 
if  I  hadn't  saved  his  life." 


224  THE    STARRY   FLAG,    OK 

"My  father  did  not  think  he  was  in  any  danger 
himself;  he  told  me  so  that  day  in  the  train." 

"That's  neither  here  nor  there.  He  didn't  pony 
up  like  a  man,  and  I'm  going  to  bleed  him  now. 
I  suppose  he  won't  think  twenty  thousand  dollars 
is  a  big  price  to  pay  for  you." 

"  For  me !  I  don't  know  what  you  mean,"  an 
swered  the  bewildered  Bessie. 

"Read  this  letter,  then,"  said  Dock,  throwing 
the  sheet  to  her. 

Bessie  did  read  it.  It  was  a  letter  to  her  father, 
filled  with  bad  spelling,  and  horrible  grammar.  It  in 
formed  Mr.  Watson  that  his  daughter  was  on  board 
of  the  Griffin,  off  the  coast  of  Maine,  and  could  only 
be  returned  to  her  parents  when  he  had  paid 
the  writer  twenty  thousand  dollars  for  himself,  and 
two  thousand  for  his  men.  Dock  went  on  to 
say  that  he  did  not  intend  to  fall  into  any  trap 
set  to  catch  him.  If  he  was  arrested,  his  men 
would  sink  the  vessel,  with  Bessie  in  the  cubin, 
in  the  deepest  water  they  could  find.  The  villain 
then  detailed  the  method  by  which  the  money 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  225 

could  be  paid  over  to  him,  without  imperilling  the 
life  of  his  daughter.  Mr.  Watson  was  directed  to 
enclose  the  amount  demanded  in  an  envelope,  ad 
dressed  to  "  Captain  Waldock  Vincent,  Bangor, 
Me.,"  and  put  it  in  the  post-office.  If  the  pack 
age  reached  the  writer  on  Friday,  Bessie  should 
be  sent  to  the  principal  hotel  in  Bangor  on  Sat 
urday.  The  letter  concluded  with  this  ominous 
threat :  "  If  you  attempt  to  play  foul,  or  to  have 
me  arrested,  you  will  never  see  your  daughter 
again  in  this  world." 

"But  would  you  sink  me  in  the  vessel,  Mr. 
Dock  ?  "  asked  Bessie. 

"Certainly,  I  would.  If  your  father  don't  care 
enough  about  you  to  give  what  I  ask,  you  ain't 
of  much  consequence;  that's  all.'* 

"My  father  will  give  you  the  money,  I  know 
he  will,"  said  Bessie,  trembling  with  terror  at  the 
awful  threat  of  the  evil  man. 

"  I  should  say  that  he  would ;  but  to  help  the 
thing  along,  I  want  you  to  write  a  few  lines  at 
the  end  of  the  letter.  You  can  advise  him  to 


226  THE    STARRY   FLAG,    OR 

take  up  with  my  offer,  send  the  money,  and  no* 
mention  the  matter  to  any  constables." 

« I  will,  Mr.  Dock." 

"You  don't  think  I've  treated  you  bad  since  you 
came  aboard  —  do  you?" 

"No,  Mr.  Dock." 

"  It  wouldn't  do  any  harm  to  say  as  much ;  it 
might  make  your  father  feel  better  about  it." 

Bessie  wrote  half  a  page  at  the  end  of  Dock's 
letter,  appealing  to  her  father  to  accept  the  offer. 
She  added  that  Dock,  except  carrying  her  off,  had 
treated  her  very  well.  The  letter  was  sealed  and 
directed  to  Mr.  Watson,  at  Rockport. 

About  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  the  Grif 
fin,  having  been  favored  with  a  fresh  and  steady 
breeze,  put  into  the  harbor  of  Rockland,  in  Maine. 
Dock  went  ashore,  and  put  his  letter  in  the 
post  office.  On  his  return,  the  vessel  filled  away 
again,  and  after  running  across  Penobscot  Bay, 
came  to  anchor  in  a  lonely  inlet  at  Deer  Isle. 
The  anchor  had  hardly  hooked  into  the  rocks  at 
the  bottom  of  the  little  bay,  before  Dock's  at- 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  227 

tention  was  attracted  by  a  sail  headed  towards 
him. 

"It  seems  to  me  I've  seen  that  boat  before,"  said 
the  evil  man,  as  the  sail  approached. 

"  I  reckon  you  have.  As  sure  as  you  live  it's  Th/ 
Starry  Flag ! "  replied  Barnes. 


228  THE    STARRY    FLAG,   OB 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE  CEUISE  OP  THE  STAKKY  FLAG. 

PERHAPS  sober,  staid,  steady  skippers,  and  es 
pecially  prudent,  plodding,  non-seafaring  per 
sons,  would  have  believed  that  Levi  Fairfield  was 
crazy  when  he  sailed  out  in  the  night  and  the 
darkness  into  the  solemn  solitudes  of  the  great 
ocean,  cutting  loose  from  the  land,  as  though  the 
salt  water  was  his  native  element.  It  must  be  ac 
knowledged  that  it  was  a  bold  and  even  reckless 
venture;  but  it  was  not  a  hopeless  one;  it  was 
not  one  in  which  a  skilful  and  daring  fellow  might 
not  reasonably  expect,  if  not  a  perfect  success,  at 
least  enough  to  justify  the  hazard  under  such 
desperate  circumstances  as  those  under  which  the 
young  fisherman  commenced  his  voyage. 

Levi   did   a   great  deal  of  thinking  and  reasoning, 
balanced     a     great    many    probabilities,    and    finally 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OP   CAPE   ANN.  229 

reached  a  conclusion  which  satisfied  himself,  and 
gave  him  the  nerve  and  the  courage  to  persevere 
to  the  end  in  his  purpose.  After  all  that  Dock 
Vincent  had  darkly  hinted  about  his  "little  plan," 
the  marine  philosopher  at  the  helm  of  The  Starry 
Flag  was  assured  that  he  had  abducted  Bessie 
Watson,  intending  to  extort  a  large  sum  of  money 
from  the  father  for  her  gafe  return.  This  was  the 
first  point  settled. 

Levi  knew  that  Dock  Vincent  had  formerly  been 
the  captain  of  a  coaster  plying  between  ports  on  the 
Penobscot  and  the  cities  of  Boston  and  New  York. 
The  Griffin  had  gone  off  headed  to  the  north-east, 
and  the  information  he  had  obtained  from  the  helms 
man  of  the  lumber  vessel  indicated  that  she  was  still 
sailing  in  that  direction.  Dock  would  not  be  likely 
to  make  a  port  near  the  Cape,  to  which  the  excite 
ment  attending  the  absence  of  Bessie  might  extend. 
It  was  more  probable  that  he  would  proceed  to 
some  more  distant  harbor.  His  knowledge  of  the 
coast  at  the  mouth  of  the  Penobscot  would  induce 
him  to  go  there.  This  was  the  second  point 
settled. 

20 


230  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

The  Griffin  was  an  "  old  tub,"  and  though  she 
was  a  vessel  of  sixty  tons,  Levi  was  confident 
that  The  Starry  Flag  would  outsail  her  in  an  or 
dinary  sea,  with  anything  less  than  a  gale  of  wind 
blowing.  Though  she  was  a  new  boat,  she  had  al 
ready  made  a  reputation  as  a  fast  sailer,  having 
actually  run  fifteen  miles  in  an  hour  and  ten  min 
utes,  which  is  very  remarkable  sailing  for  a  boat 
of  her  size,  and  of  course  it  was  accomplished 
under  the  most  favorable  circumstances.  Levi, 
therefore,  did  not  make  his  calculations  without 
knowing  what  he  was  about. 

The  Griffin  had  four  hours  the  start  of  him,  but 
she  could  not  be,  as  the  wind  had  blown,  more 
than  twenty  miles  ahead  of  him.  The  Flag  was 
making  seven  knots,  while  the  Griffin  could  not 
be  making  more  than  four  or  five.  Levi  expected 
to  see  the  old  schooner  in  the  morning,  and  to 
be  well  up  with  her  by  the  time  she  made  the 
coast  of  Maine ;  but  even  if  he  did  not  see  her, 
he  was  determined  to .  continue  on  his  course,  for 
he  could  land  at  some  place,  and  obtain  the 
"ship  news"  to  guide  him. 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF   CAPE   ANN.  231 

Before  daybreak  the  skipper  of  The  Starry  Flag 
could  not  help  thinking  how  comfortable  it  would 
be  if  he  could  turn  in  and  sleep  a  few  hours,  for  he 
gaped  fearfully,  and  his  eyes  were  heavy;  but  he 
took  a  lunch,  drank  some  lemonade,  and  walked 
briskly  up  and  down  the  standing  room  a  few 
times,  which  had  the  effect  to  wake  him  up.  The 
boat  went  along  at  a  lively  pace  over  the  great 
billows,  as  dry  and  comfortable  as  a  lady's  parlor. 
A  little  spray  broke  on  the  half  deck  at  times, 
but  not  a  drop  soiled  the  Sunday  clothes  of  Levi; 
for  he  had  dressed  himself  in  his  best  in  honor 
of  the  party  he  was  to  convey  to  Thatcher's 
Island.  The  wind  was  abaft  the  beam,  and  the 
sails  hardly  needed  any  attention.  He  had  only 
to  watch  the  compass,  and  keep  the  boat  headed 
north-east  by  north,  which  he  had  heard  was  the 
proper  point  for  a  vessel  bound  to  Penobscot  Bay. 

At  daylight,  The  Starry  Flag  seemed  to  be  alone 
on  the  vast  ocean.  She  was  out  of  sight  of  land, 
and  no  other  sail  was  to  be  seen.  Levi  was  wide 
awake  now,  and  it  was  no  longer  difficult  for  him  to 
keep  his  eyes  open.  It  was  grand,  sublime,  the 


232  THE    STARRY    FLAG,   OR 

waste  of  waters  around  him  rolling  and  beating  like 
the  pulse  of  the  Infinite.  Levi's  was  not  a  rude, 
coarse  nature,  upon  which  a  prospect  so  sublime 
could  produce  no  impression.  He  was  moved,  awed 
by  it,  and  by  the  fact  that  he  was  at  least  fifty 
miles  from  the  shore.  He  thought  of  Him  who 
spread  out  this  desert  of  waters,  and  his  matin 
prayer  was  more  real  and  earnest  than  ever  be 
fore.  The  mission  in  which  he  was  engaged  was 
in  harmony  with  these  lofty  reflections,  and  no 
childish  fear  moved  him  to  look  back  from  the 
purpose  to  which  he  had  nobly  devoted  himself. 

The  sun  rose  bright  and  beautiful  from  his  ocean 
bed,  and  Levi  was  almost  inspired  by  the  grandeur 
of  the  scene,  rendered  ten  times  more  sublime  by 
the  circumstances  of  his  situation.  As  the  bright, 
warm  rays  of  the  sun  poured  down  upon  him  at  a 
later  hour,  the  wind  hauled  a  little  more  to  the 
northward,  and  freshened  considerably,  but  not  so 
that  the  Flag  could  not  carry  her  jib  and  main 
sail.  Levi  was  disappointed,  but  not  discouraged, 
because  nothing  was  to  be  seen  of  the  Griffin. 
The  captain,  crew,  and  all  hands,  piped  to  break 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  233 

fast,  when  the  sun  had  dried  the  decks  of  the 
boat.  The  lockers  were  still  plentifully  supplied 
with  cold  ham,  bread,  cheese,  and  cake,  and  the 
meal  was  sumptuous. 

While  Levi  was  thus  engaged,  he  caught  sight  of 
a  distant  sail  —  so  distant  that  he  could  hardly  make 
it  out.  It  was  off  on  his  weather  beam,  hull  down, 
with  only  the  upper  part  of  her  sails  in  sight.  The 
young  skipper  watched  her  with  deep  interest;  and 
when  he  had  finished  his  breakfast,  he  took  from  the 
cuddy  a  spy-glass,  which  he  had  borrowed  of  Mr. 
Gayles,  to  enable  Bessie  to  look  at  distant  objects, 
during  the  trip  to  Thatcher's  Island,  and  carefully 
examined  the  stranger.  But  she  was  too  far  off  for 
him  to  make  her  out.  By  this  time  two  schooners 
were  in  sight  to  leeward  of  him,  but  both  of  them 
were  bound  to  the  southward. 

As  Levi  watched  the  distant  sail  till  it  became 
evident  to  him  that  she  was  going  to  the  northward, 
he  altered  his  course  so  as  to  approach  near  enough 
to  her  in  a  short  time  to  make  her  out.  He  was 
tolerably  confident,  after  he  had  studied  the  situa 
tion,  that  this  vessel  was  the  Griffin,  and  he  began 
20* 


234  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OR 

to  be  somewhat  excited  at  the  prospect.  An  hour 
later,  he  discerned  through  the  spy-glass  the  great 
square  patch  on  the  foresail,  and  his  belief  was  fully 
confirmed.  Dock  had  kept  a  point  nearer  to  the 
westward  than  Levi,  who  in  a  few  hours  more  would 
have  passed  the  Griffin,  and  left  her  behind  him. 

Levi  decided  that  it  would  not  be  prudent  for  him 
to  exhibit  The  Starry  Flag  to  Dock  Vincent;  so  he 
just  barely  kept  the  Griffin's  sails  in  sight,  keeping 
abreast,  and  a  little  ahead  of  her,  till  he  sighted  the 
land  in  the  middle  of  the  afternoon.  The  young 
fisherman  was  now  worked  up  to  a  tremendous  pitch 
of  enthusiasm.  He  was  so  excited  that  he  forgot  all 
about  his  dinner  till  his  abused  stomach  clamored  for 
attention.  For  three  hours  the  islands  of  Penobscot 
Bay  surrounded  him,  and  Levi  was  compelled  to  get 
nearer  to  the  chase. 

The  Griffin  ran  into  Rockland  harbor,  lying  to 
while  Dock  and  Barnes  went  ashore  in  the  boat. 
Levi  had  prudently  kept  at  a  distance,  intending 
to  wait  till  the  vessel  anchored,  and  then  to  board 
her  after  dark,  with  the  assistance  of  some  officers 
to  be  obtained  in  the  town.  He  ran  into  the  bay 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE    ANN.  235 

as  far  as  Jameson's  Point;  but,  as  we  have  narrated 
in  the  last  chapter,  the  Griffin  remained  only  a  short 
time  in  the  harbor.  When  Levi  saw  her  coming 
down  the  bay,  he  stood  off  and  sheltered  his  boat 
from  the  observation  of  those  on  board  the  schooner 
by  running  her  behind  Owl's  Head  until  she  had 
passed,  when  he  followed  her  again,  at  a  safe 
distance. 

As  the  chase  was  now  headed  to  the  north-east, 
Levi  was  sure  that  she  intended  to  make  another 
harbor.  It  was  nearly  sundown  when  she  came  to 
anchor  in  the  lonely  bay  at  Deer  Isle.  As  the  Grif 
fin  swung  round  at  her  moorings,  Levi  surveyed  the 
harbor  which  Dock  had  chosen.  There  was  not  a 
house  in  sight,  and  the  pursuer  knew  nothing  what 
ever  of  the  geography  of  the  place.  As  he  saw  none, 
he  concluded  there  were  no  inhabitants  near  the 
place,  and  that  the  skipper  of  the  Griffin  had  chosen 
his  anchorage  with  reference  to  this  fact. 

Levi  did  not  know  the  name  of  the  town  at  which 
Dock  had  landed;  he  could  only  see  that  it  was  a 
large  place.  But  he  rightly  conjectured  that  the 
conspirator  had  gone  ashore  there  to  make  his 


236  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

demand  upon  Mr.  Watson  through  the  post 
office. 

The  bold  young  skipper  was  troubled  by  the  situ 
ation,  and  was  at  a  loss  what  to  do.  He  could  not 
hope  to  obtain  any  help  from  the  shore,  and  he  waa 
hardly  able  to  do  battle  with  the  three  men  on  the 
deck  of  the  Griffin.  He  could  not  anchor  outside  of 
the  bay,  the  water  was  so  deep,  and  he  was  afraid 
the  Griffin  might  change  her  position  in  the  night  if 
he  remained  out  of  sight  of  her.  As  he  reflected, 
and  felt  that  the  chances  were  now  against  him,  he 
became  desperate,  and  under  this  impulse  he  stood 
boldly  into  the  lonely  bay,  direct  for  the  chase. 

Without  showing  his  face,  or  answering  the  hail 
of  Dock  Vincent,  he  ran  The  Starry  Flag  alongside 
the  schooner,  and  made  fast  her  painter  to  the  fore 
shrouds.  With  the  short,  heavily-ironed  boat-hook 
of  the  little  craft  in  his  hand,  he  leaped  upon  the 
deck  of  the  Griffin. 

"Is  that  you,  Levi?"  demanded  Dock,  almost  par 
alyzed  by  the  appearance  of  the  youth  at  this  in 
opportune  tune. 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF    CAPE   ANN.  237 

Til  bet  it's  me!"  answered  Levi,  nearly  choked 
by  his  deep  emotion. 

"How  came  you  here,  Levi?"  continued  Dock, 
who  seemed  disposed  to  adopt  a  conciliatory  course. 

"  I  came  after  Bessie  Watson,  and  I'm  going  to 
have  her  too,"  said  Levi,  decidedly. 

"Bessie  Watson?     She  isn't  here." 

"O,  Mr.  Dock!  Do  let  me  go  with  him,"  inter 
posed  Bessie,  whose  head  appeared  at  the  compan- 
ion-way,  as  she  climbed  the  steep  steps. 

"  That  lie's  nailed !  "  i  said  Levi,  moving  towards 
the  villain. 

"Go  below  again!"  added  Dock,  sternly. 

"Don't  mind  him,  Bessie,"  replied  Levi. 

"What  are  you  going  to  do  about  it,  Levi  Fair- 
field  ? "  demanded  Dock,  roused  to  anger  by  the  con 
duct  of  the  young  fisherman.  "  Here,  Dove,  you  and 
Barnes  pitch  this  fellow  into  his  boat,  and  I  will 
take  care  of  the  girl." 

"I  washed  my  hands  of  this  business  in  the  be 
ginning,  and  I  won't  have  anything  to  do  with  it," 
replied  Dove. 

"Nor  I  neither,"  added  Barnes. 


288  THE    STARRY   FLAG,    OR 

"Cowards!"  sneered  Dock,  as  he  rushed  towards 
Levi. 

At  this  moment  Bessie  sprang  to  the  deck,  and 
her  movement  attracted  the  attention  of  Dock,  who, 
fearful  that  his  prize  would  escape,  turned  with  the 
intention  of  driving  her  back  into  the  cabin. 

"Let  her  alone!"  shouted  Levi,  angrily,  as  he  fol 
lowed  Dock  up  to  the  companion-way,  and  seized 
him  by  the  arm  to  prevent  him  from  pushing  Bessie 
down  the  ladder. 

Dock  turned  upon  him  again,  and  attempted  to 
lay  his  heavy  hand  upon  him;  but  Levi  suddenly 
raised  the  iron-shod  end  of  the  boat-hook,  and 
brought  it  down  with  such  force  upon  the  head 
of  the  evil  man  that  he  sank  senseless  upon  the 
deck. 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE   ANN.          239 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE  STABKT  FLAG  COMES  TO  ANCHOR. 

WHAT  have  you  done,  Levi  ? "  exclaimed 
Bessie,  as,  filled  with  fear  and  horror,  she 
saw  the  form  of  Dock  Vincent  drop  heavily  upon 
the  deck  of  the  Griffin. 

"  I  don't  know.  I've  done  my  duty,  I  hope," 
replied  Levi,  puffing  under  the  excitement  and  the 
exertion  of  the  moment.  "  I  hope  I  haven't  killed 
him,  but  I  can't  help  it  if  I  have." 

"  O,  I  hope  not ! "  added  Bessie. 

By  this  time  Barnes  and  Dove,  the  two  seamen 
of  the  Griffin,  had  come  aft,  and  they  commenced 
an  examination  into  the  condition  of  Dock. 

"You  hit  him  a  hard  knock,  Levi,"  said  Dove, 
"  but  he  isn't  dead.  He's  only  stunded,  and  he'll 
come  out  of  it  pretty  soon." 

"  Then  I'll  be  going,  for  I  don't  want  to  have  any 


20  THE    STARRY    FLAG.    Ott 

more    trouble   with    him.      Come,    Bessie,    get    youi 
things,  and  come  with  me." 

"  He  won't  die  —  will,  he  ?  "  asked  she,  glancing, 
with  a  shudder,  at  the  stout  frame  of  Dock,  ex 
tended  on  the  deck. 

"  Bless  you,  Miss  Bessie,  he  will  be  as  well  as 
ever  in  an  hour  or  two,"  answered  Dove.  "You 
needn't  consarn  yourself  about  him." 

"  I'm  very  glad  it's  no  worse." 

"  Come,  Bessie  ;  have  you  anything  with  you  ?  " 

"  Nothing  but  my  shawl ; "  and  she  went  down 
into  the  cabin  for  it. 

"  Where  you  goin,  Levi  ?  "  asked  Dove. 

"  If  I  don't  tell  you,  you  won't  know,"  replied  the 
young  skipper,  prudently. 

"  See  here,  Levi ;  you  don't  think  Barnes  and  me 
had  anything  to  do  with  this  thing  —  do  you?" 

"  Well,  I  don't  know  that  you  did ;  but  I  think, 
if  it  had  been  my  case,  the  old  Griffin  would  have 
found  her  way  back  to  Rockport  before  this  time." 

"You  don't  understand  it,  Levi,"  added  Barnes, 
with  an  anxious  look.  "  Captain  Dock  Vincent  al 
ways  has  his  own  way,  you  know." 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  241 

"  So  he  does,  when  he  can ;  but  he  didn't  have  it 
just  now,"  answered  Levi,  looking  down  at  the 
insensible  form.  "  Why  don't  you  take  care  of  him, 
and  do  something  for  him?" 

"  We  are  goin  to ;  but  I  want  to  know  whether 
you  think  Dove  and  me  was  mixed  up  in  this 
business." 

"  I  don't  know  anything  about  it ;  but  I  think 
you  might  have  prevented  it,  if  you  had  been  a 
mind  to." 

"  'Tain't  so ;  and  we  don't  want  you  to  go  to 
blamin  us  for  what  we  didn't  have  nothin  to  do 
with.  We're  hands  aboard  this  vessel,  and  we  have 
to  do  just  what  the  cap'n  tells  us  to  do.  You  know 
that  just  as  well  as  I  do." 

"  I  haven't  anything  to  say  about  it.  I  don't 
believe  you  would  have  done  such  a  mean  thing 
yourself,  either  one  of  you,"  added  Levi,  evasively. 

"But  you  ain't  a  goin  to  tell  the  folks  down  to 
Rockport  that  we  helped  Cap'n  Dock  do  this  thing 
—  be  you?"  continued  Barnes,  beginning  to  be  a 
little  excited  at  the  prospective  loss  of  reputation 
which  such  a  report  would  involve. 
21 


242  THE    STARRY   FLAG,    OR 

"  I'll  tell  them  just  what  you  say  —  that  you 
hadn't  anything  to  do  with  the  affair,  and  that  you 
only  obeyed  your  captain." 

"  Well,  I'm  satisfied  with  that,"  said  Dove,  as  Levi 
handed  Bessie  in  to  The  Starry  Flag.  "We  told 
Cap'n  Dock  we  wouldn't  have  anything  to  do  with 
carryin  the  gal  off." 

"  Yes,  he  really  did ;  and  Mr.  Dove  was  very  kind 
to  me,  and  told  me  that  he  and  the  other  man 
wouldn't  let  Mr.  Dock  hurt  me,"  interposed  Bessie, 
who  was  disposed  to  put  a  very  charitable  construc 
tion  upon  the  action,  and  upon  the  inaction,  of  the 
two  seamen,  for  she  did  not  know  that  they  had 
consented  to  receive  a  thousand  dollars  apiece  for 
standing  by  the  vessel  till  the  "little  plan"  was 
fully  executed. 

Levi,  fearful  that  the  two  men,  in  self-defence, 
might  attempt  to  prevent  his  departure,  did  not 
express  his  mind  as  fully  as  he  would  have  done 
under  -different  circumstances.  He  followed  Bessie 
into  the  boat,  and  hoisted  the  mainsail. 

"  I  say,  Levi,  you  don't  think  of  taking  the  girl  back 
to  Rockport  in  that  boat  —  do  you  ?  "  asked  Barnes. 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF   CAPE   ANN.  248 

"  I  should  feel  safer  in  her  than  I  should  in  your 
old  Griffin,"  replied  the  young  skipper. 

"It's  rather  resky  to  go  off  a  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  in  an  open  boat  like  that,"  added  the  seaman. 

"  I  don't  think  so,"  answered  Levi,  as  he  shoved 
off.  "  Why  don't  you  go  and  see  to  your  captain 
now  ?  " 

"Dove  is  lookin  out  for  him.  Well,  good  by, 
Levi;  but  don't  be  hard  on  us  when  you  get  back 
to  Rockport." 

"I'll  tell  the  folks  just  what  you  say,  and  they 
may  judge  for  themselves.  Good  by;"  and  The 
Starry  Flag  began  to  gather  headway,  and  bear 
them  away  from  the  schooner. 

Levi  ran  up  the  jib,  trimmed  the  sails,  and  seated 
himself  at  the  helm. 

"  O,  I'm  so  happy,  Levi ! "  exclaimed  Bessie,  as  the 
Flag  dashed  out  of  the  lonely  bay.  "  You  can't  tell 
how  much  I  have  suffered  since  I  went  on  that 
vessel ! " 

'"I  know  you  must  have  had  a  very  bad  time." 

"  And  you  have  followed  me  all  the  way  from 
Rockport  ?  " 


244  THE    STARKY    FLAG,    OK 

"  Yes ;  I  sailed  all  last  night  and  all  to-day,  fol 
lowing  the  Griffin.  I  thought  Dock  would  run  into 
some  place  where  there  were  people,  and  I  intended 
to  get  some  help,  and  get  you  away  from  him." 

"  I  owe  you  ever  so  much,  Levi,  for  what  you 
have  done !  And  I'm  sure  I  don't  know  what  would 
have  happened  if  you  hadn't  come  as  you  did.  Did 
my  father  send  you  ?  " 

"  He  does  not  even  know  where  I  am ;  for  after  I 
got  the  idea  into  my  head  that  Dock  was  carrying 
you  off,  I  didn't  dare  to  go  back  to  Rockport,  for 
fear  I  shouldn't  overtake  the  Griffin." 

Levi  told  Bessie  everything  that  had  happened 
from  the  time  he  went  to  Old  Pier  to  take  his  party 
on  board  up  to  the  moment  when  he  had  boarded 
the  Griffin  with  the  boat-hook  in  his  hand.  The 
poor  girl  wept  bitterly  when  she  thought  what  her 
father  and  mother  had  suffered,  and  were  still  suffer 
ing,  on  account  of  her  unexplained  absence.  When 
Levi  assured  her  they  would  soon  be  in  Rockport, 
she  dried  her  eyes,  and  told  her  brave  companion 
the  history  of  her  abduction,  and  of  her  stay  on 
board  the  Griffin.  By  the  time  these  interesting 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OP    CAPE    ANN.  24J> 

stories  were  finished  it  was  quite  dark,  and  Lev) 
proposed  that  they  should  have  some  supper.  He 
lighted  his  lantern,  and  placed  cold  ham,  bread, 
crackers,  and  cake  on  the  seat,  with  lemonade  in 
stead  of  tea.  Under  the  hopeful  promises  of  the 
future,  Bessie  regained  her  appetite,  and  ate  heartily, 
much  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  skipper,  who  fully 
sustained  his  own  reputation  as  "  a  good  feeder "  on 
the  present  occasion. 

"  Bessie,  I  don't  know  that  you  will  like  to  go  so 
far  in  an  open  boat.  I  suppose  it  is  nearly  a  hun 
dred  and  fifty  miles  across  to  Rockport,  right  over 
the  open  sea,  and  out  of  sight  of  land,"  said  Levi, 
after  he  had  cleared  away  the  remains  of  the  supper, 
and  put  the  boat  in  order  for  her  night  voyage. 

"  There  is  no  other  way  to  go  —  is  there  ?  "  asked 
Bessie,  rather  appalled  at  the  prospect  of  such  a 
cruise. 

"  Why,  yes ;  I  can  put  you  on  shore,  and  you 
can  go  by  the  railroad  or  the  steamboat  to  Boston. 
There  is  a  big  town  up  here  somewhere. '  The 
Griffin  put  in  there,  on  her  way  up.  I  haven't  got 
any  map  or  chart,  and  I'm  sure  I  don't  know  where 
21* 


2^6  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OR 

we  are ;  only  that  we  are  on  the  coast  of  Maine, 
and  somewhere  near  the  mouth  of  the  Penobscol 
River.  All  I  know  is,  that  I  must  stand  about 
south-west  to  bring  me  back  to  Rockport.  When  I 
get  a  sight  of  the  land  over  on  the  other  side,  I 
shall  know  where  we  are." 

"But  are  you  not  afraid  to  go  right  out  to  sea, in 
an  open  boat?"  asked  Bessie. 

"Not  a  bit  of  it.  I  shall  feel  just  as  safe  as  I 
should  on  shore,"  replied  Levi. 

"  Well,  if  you  are  not  afraid,  I'm  not,  Levi,"  said 
she,  with  emphasis.  "  You  say  we  are  somewhere 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Penobscot  River.  I  have 
been  to  Rockland  and  Thomaston  with  father. 
When  we  returned  home,  we  went  to  Portland  hi  a 
steamboat,  and  then  to  Boston  by  railroad." 

"  I  suppose  we  are  too  late  for  any  steamers  to 
night,  for  I  know  those  that  go  to  Boston  pass  the 
Cape  about  two  or  three  o'clock  in  the  morning." 

"  But  we  don't  know  when  anything  starts,"  added 
Bessie. 

"I  don't  know  that  I  could  find  the  town  where 
we  put  in  this  afternoon,  but  I  think  I  could.  If  I 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OP   CAPE    ANN.  247 

landed  you  there  to-night,  I  don't  see  how  you  could 
get  to  Boston  before  to-morrow  night." 

"  But  the  train  from  Portland  would  leave  us 
at  Beverly,  and  we  would  take  the  cars  there  for 
Rockport." 

"  Perhaps  the  train  you  would  go  on  would  not 
connect  with  one  for  Rockport." 

"  Dear  me !     I'm  sure  I  don't  know  what  to  do." 

"If  the  wind  holds  good,  I  expect  to  be  in  Rock- 
port  to-morrow  afternoon ;  for  you  know  I  must  be 
there  on  Thursday  at  the  trial." 

"I  thought  you  would  go  with  me  by  the  steam 
boat  or  the  railroad,"  said  Bessie. 

"I  couldn't  leave  my  boat." 

"I  wouldn't  go  without  you,  Levi,"  added  she, 
decidedly. 

"I  must  take  my  boat  home." 

"Then  I  shall  go  with  you." 

"It  may  come  on  to  blow,"  suggested  the  prudent 
skipper. 

"But  it  will  be  as  safe  for  me  as  it  is  for  you." 

"  The  boat  is  safe  as  long  as  she  is  well  handled ; 
and  I  don't  think  there  is  a  bit  of  danger  at  this 


248  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OE 

season  ol  tfit>  year.  I  shouldn't  want  to  go  across 
there  in  the  fall  or  winter,  though  I  shouldn't  be 
afraid  to  do  it  then ;  but  it  wouldn't  be  comfortable. 
It  would  be  too  cold  and  wet." 

"  I  shall  go  with  you,  Levi,  any  way." 
"I  can  make  you  up  a  nice  little  bed  in  the  cabin 
there,    and    you    can    sleep    all    night,"    added    Levi, 
delighted  witli  the  spirit  of  his  fair  companion. 

"  I  think  I  could  sleep  anywhere  to-night,  for  I 
believe  I  hardly  closed  my  eyes  last  night.  But 
what  are  you  going  to  do,  Levi  ?  " 

"  O,  I  must  keep  awake  and  steer  the  boat." 
"  But  you  didn't  sleep  any  last  night." 
"Well,  I   will  sleep  enough  when  I  get   home  to 
make  it  up.      But   I'm   afraid  the   wind   is   going   to 
die  out,"  added  Levi,  who  had  been  fearing  this  for 
the  last  hour,  for  the  breeze  had  subsided  almost  to 
a  calm. 

"  What   will   you   do  then  ? "   said   Bessie,   with   a 
long    gape,    which    suggested    that   it    was    bedtime 
for  her. 
"Wait  till  the   breeze   comes.      Let  me   make  up 


THE  YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE   ANN.  Z49 

your  bed  for  you  now,  and  you  can  lie  down,  for  J 
am  sure  you  are  very  sleepy." 

"  I  am,  indeed." 

Levi's  services,  unfortunately,  were  no  longer  needed 
at  the  helm,  for  the  wind  had  entirely  subsided,  and 
the  mainsail  hung  idly  from  the  gaff.  He  arranged 
the  best  bed  the  material  at  his  command  would 
permit ;  and  Bessie  lay  down  upon  it,  after  she  had 
reverently  repeated  her  prayers,  to  which  Levi  listened 
in  the  true  spirit  of  devotion.  He  drew  the  slide 
over  the  companion-way,  and  partly  closed  the  doors, 
so  that  she  would  not  be  suffocated  by  the  closeness 
of  the  cuddy. 

The  Starry  Flag  appeared  to  rest  motionless  on 
the  water,  for  there  was  not  a  breath  of  air.  Her 
skipper  was  annoyed  and  impatient.  He  wanted  to 
be  dashing  over  the  waves  towards  Rockport,  with 
the  message  of  gladness  to  the  distracted  parents  of 
his  fair  passenger ;  and  it  was  intensely  provoking  to 
have  the  wind  die  cut  at  such  a  time.  Worse  than 
this,  he  found  that  the  tide  was  coming  in,  and  that 
the  Flag  was  drifting  up  the  bay.  This  would  not 
do ;  he  was  going  ahead  backwards,  drifting  upon  ax 


250  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OK 

island  to  the  northward  of  him.  He  was  obliged 
to  let  go  the  anchor  to  check  this  retrograde  ten 
dency. 

The  boat  had  come  to  a  dead  stand;  and  as 
there  was  nothing  better  that  he  could  do,  he  furled 
his  sails,  fastened  the  lantern  to  the  jib-stay,  stretched 
himself  on  one  of  the  seats,  and  went  to  sleep. 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OP   CAPE   ANN.  251 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

HOMEWARD    BOUND. 

IT  was  about  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  when  the 
wind  died  out  and  the  tide  turned,  so  that  The 
Starry  Flag  could  make  no  further  progress  on  her 
voyage  to  Cape  Ann.  Undoubtedly  it  was  best  that 
it  should  be  so ;  that  the  elements  should  so  far 
conspire  against  him  as  to  prevent  him  from  going 
to  sea;  for  Levi  was  not  in  condition  to  stand  it 
another  night  at  the  helm.  The  delay  afforded  him 
the  sleep  and  the  rest  he  needed  so  much. 

It  was  five  o'clock  in  the  morning  when  the 
young  skipper  waked.  The  sun  had  risen,  and  was 
shining  brightly  on  the  silver  waters,  and  a  gentle 
breeze  from  the  westward  rippled  the  surface  of  the 
bay.  Levi  sprang  up  with  a  start:  his  first  thought 
was,  that  he  was  wasting  precious  time;  that  he 
had  slept  hours  longer  than  he  should  have  done. 


252  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

Without  a  moment  of  delay  he  hoisted  the  mainsail, 
and  was  going  forward  to  get  up  the  anchor,  when 
he  discovered  a  sail  moving  out  from  behind  the 
island  under  whose  lee  the  boat  was  moored.  A 
second  glance  revealed  to  him  the  great  square 
patch  on  the  foresail  of  the  Griffin,  and  assured  him 
that  Dock  Vincent  had  come  to  his  senses,  and  was 
in  pursuit  of  him. 

The  noise  he  made  in  hoisting  the  mainsail  had 
awakened  Bessie,  and  she  came  out  of  the  cuddy. 

"  Where  are  we,  Levi  ?  Have  we  got  almost  to 
Rockport  ?  " 

"  We  have  been  at  anchor  all  night,  Bessie. 
There  comes  the  Griffin,  and  we  haven't  a  moment 
to  spare,"  replied  Levi,  sharply. 

"  O,  that's  terrible ! "  added  she,  glancing  at  the 
old  vessel,  which  was  now  within  a  few  rods  of  the 
boat.  "What  shall  we  do?" 

"  Don't  be  alarmed,  Bessie ;  I  can  keep  out  of  his 
way,"  added  Levi,  as  he  unbent  the  cable  and  threw 
the  rope  overboard,  for  he  could  not  spare  the 
precious  moments  which  would  be  required  to  weigh 
the  anchor. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN-  253 

"  Stop,  there,  Levi  Fail-field  ! "  shouted  Dock  Vin 
cent,  from  the  helm  of  the  Griffin. 

"  O,  Levi ! "  gasped  Bessie,  when  she  heard  the 
tones  of  her  persecutor's  voice. 

"  Don't  be  frightened,  Bessie,"  interposed  the  gal 
lant  young  skipper,  in  soothing  tones.  "He  shall 
not  have  you  again." 

Levi  hoisted  the  jib  quicker  than  the  jib  of  The 
Starry  Flag  was  ever  hoisted  before. 

"  Put  the  helm  down,  Bessie  —  the  other  way ; 
that's  right;"  and  the  Flag  began  to  gather  head 
way  just  as  Dock  Vincent,  who  had  gone  out  on 
the  bowsprit  of  the  Griffin,  was  attempting,  with  a 
long  boat-hook,  to  fasten  to  the  jib-stay  of  the 
sail-boat. 

"All  right,  Bessie,"  said  Levi,  with  a  feeling  of 
intense  relief,  as  he  belayed  the  jib-halliard,  and  ran 
to  the  helm. 

The  mainsail  was  drawing,  and  as  the  Griffin 
came  up  into  the  wind,  the  Flag  passed  out  of  the 
reach  of  the  evil  man.  Levi  gathered  up  his  jib- 
sheets,  trimmed  his  head-sail,  and  the  boat  went  off 
on  her  course  to  the  southward  of  the  island,  leaving 
22 


254  THE    STAKBT   FLAG,   OB 

the  Griffin  to  wear  round  and  renew  the  chase.  It 
was  evident  that  the  schooner  had  the  breeze  at  an 
early  hour  in  the  morning,  and  started  in  pursuit  of 
Levi ;  and  if  the  young  skipper  had  slept  five  min 
utes  more,  his  little  craft  would  have  been  captured 
by  the  villain. 

"  I  never  was  so  frightened  in  my  life ! "  exclaimed 
Bessie,  with  a  long  breath.  "  I  was  sure  that  we 
were  lost.  But  he  may  catch  us  yet." 

"  Not  he,"  said  Levi,  confidently.  "  The  old  Griffin 
could  no  more  catch  us  than  a  snail  could  catch  a 
streak  of  lightning.  You  are  as  safe  now,  Bessie,  as 
you  would  be  in  the  parlor  of  your  father's  house. 
I  can't  think  what  made  me  sleep  so  long." 

"  Poor  fellow !  I  suppose  you  were  tired  out,  as  I 
was,"  replied  Bessie,  fall  of  sympathy  for  her  pro 
tector  and  friend. 

"  I  was  tired,  but  I  didn't  mean  to  sleep  more 
than  a  couple  of  hours." 

"I  am  glad  you  did  sleep,  though  I  supposed, 
when  I  waked  up,  that  we  had  been  sailing  all 
night." 

Levi    explained    the    situation   so  that   his  fellow- 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF   CAPE   ANN.  255 

voyager  could  understand  it.  Both  of  them  watched 
the  Griffin  all  the  time,  for  it  was  plain  that  Dock 
had  not  yet  abandoned  his  "little  plan."  The  men 
on  board  of  her  were  setting  a  staysail  to  increase 
her  speed ;  but  Levi  did  not  borrow  any  trouble  on 
this  account.  As  long  as  there  was  any  wind  at  all, 
he  was  sure  that  he  could  show  Dock  the  name  on 
the  stern  of  his  boat  all  day  long.  If  the  Griffin 
had  been  even  a  fair  sailer,  it  would  have  been 
otherwise,  and  Levi  would  have  been  compelled  to 
resort  to  other  expedients  than  his  heels  to  avoid 
capture. 

The  Starry  Flag  gained  on  the  schooner  until 
they  were  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  apart ;  and  then 
Bessie  began  to  feel  some  assurance  that  she  would 
not  again  fall  into  the  clutches  of  the  evil  man. 
The  wind  was  very  light,  and  neither  craft  was 
making  more  than  four  knots  an  hour. 

"  I  don't  like  to  ask  you  to  be  ship's  steward, 
Bessie,  but  I  think  it  is  breakfast  time,  and  I  don't 
like  to  leave  the  helm  even  for  a  minute,"  said  Levi, 
when  he  felt  sure  that,  with  careful  management,  he 
could  keep  out  of  the  Griffin's  way. 


266  THE    STAKEY    FLAG,    OR 

"  O,  I  should  like  something  to  do ! "  exclaimed 
Bessie,  springing  to  her  feet. 

"  Should  you  ?  Well,  then,  you  may  bring  out 
the  breakfast.  It's  just  the  same  as  we  had  for 
supper,  and  as  we  shall  have  for  dinner.  You  will 
find  it  in  that  locker,"  continued  Levi,  pointing  to 
the  place  where  he  had  deposited  the  ship's  pro 
visions. 

"  I'm  sure  it's  good  enough." 

"  If  I  had  thought  of  having  a  lady  passenger,  I 
might  have  provided  better  for  her." 

"  Why,  it's  as  good  as  you  have  yourself,  and  I'm 
sure  I  don't  want  anything  better."" 

Levi  wished  he  had  a  cup  of  tea  or  coffee  for  her, 
and  for  himself  too,  for  that  matter  ;  but  there  was 
still  plenty  of  cold  water  and  lemonade  on  board, 
and  the  cake  was  not  half  used.  Bessie  arranged 
the  provision  on  one  of  the  seats  as  tastefully  and 
neatly  as  the  material  would  permit,  and  the  captain, 
crew,  and  passengers  all  breakfasted  at  one  table,  the 
skipper  keeping  his  place  at  the  helm,  with  an  eye 
on  the  Griffin  all  the  time. 

The  relative  positions  of  the  Flag  and  the  schooner 


THE  YOUNG    FISHftRMAN    OP    CAPE    ANN.  257 

were  not  materially  changed  during  the  forenoon. 
Four  miles  an  hour,  to  one  as  impatient  as  Levi, 
was  very  slow  progress,  and  to  make  this  he  had 
the  advantage  of  the  ebb  tide.  At  noon  the  boat 
was  still  among  the  islands  of  Penobscot  Bay,  having 
made  not  more  than  thirty  miles  during  the  half 
day.  The  breeze  did  not  increase,  and  against  the 
tide,  after  it  had  turned,  the  progress  was  stil) 
more  unsatisfactory.  Several  schooners  were  in  sight, 
bound  down  the  bay,  which  kept  the  young  voyagers 
company,  and  helped  to  quiet  the  fears  of  Bessie, 
who  relied  upon  these  people  for  help  in  case  the 
evil  man  should  attempt  to  capture  her  again. 

"  I  think  this  is  rather  tiresome,  Levi,"  said  Bessie, 
after  they  had  been  to  dinner. 

"  Confounded  tiresome ! "  replied  the  skipper,  ear 
nestly. 

"Don't  you  suppose  there  will  be  more  wind  than 
this  before  night  ?  " 

"  I  can't  tell ;  but  I'm  afraid  not.  It  looks  to  me 
just  as  though  we  were  going  to  have  dull,  muggy 
weather,  with  Paddy's  hurricane  to  boot." 

"  A  hurricane  ?  " 
22* 


258  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OR 

"  Don't  be  scared  —  only  Paddy's  hurricane,"  laughed 
Levi. 

"What's  that?" 

"A  hurricane  that  blows  up  and  down  —  in  other 
words,  a  dead  calm." 

«O,  I  hope  not." 

"I  hope  not;  but  I  am  more  afraid  of  a  calm 
than  I  am  of  a  blow.  I  must  be  in  Rockport  to 
morrow  forenoon,  you  know." 

"  You  must,  if  you  can,"  said  Bessie. 

"What  will  my  uncle  and  the  rest  of  them  think 
if  I  am  not  there  when  the  trial  takes  place  ?  I 
must  be  there!"  added  Levi,  anxiously. 

"And  my  poor  father  and  mother  don't  know 
where  I  am ! "  sighed  Bessie. 

Then  both  of  them  went  to  thinking,  and  the 
boat  rose  and  fell  on  the  billows,  hardly  going  for 
ward  at  all.  But  about  four  o'clock  in  the  after 
noon  the  breeze  freshened  up,  and  it  blew  quite 
briskly  for  two  or  three  hours.  Levi  brightened  up, 
and  looked  as  happy  as  a  lord.  Hie  tongue  flew  like 
a  bobbin  as  the  boat  passed  the  last  range  of  islands, 


THE   YOUNG   FISHEKMAN    OF   CAPE    ANN.  259 

and  stood  out  upon  the  open  sea.  Bessie  was  as 
merry  as  a  cricket,  for  the  bounding  little  craft  was 
swiftly  bearing  her  to  the  arms  of  her  affectionate 
parents. 

"  There  comes  the  old  Griffin,"  said  Levi.  "  She 
is  doing  better  than  I  ever  saw  her  do  before.  I 
declare  she  has  rigged  her  gaff-topsails.  I  didn't 
know  she  had  any  before." 

"Will  she  catch  us,  Levi?" 

"No,  I  think  not,"  replied  the  young  skipper; 
but  he  was  somewhat  anxious  on  the  subject. 

If  the  breeze  should  increase  so  as  to  create  a 
heavy  sea,  the  Griffin  might  be  able  to  carry  sail 
longer  than  the  Flag,  and  thus  overhaul  her;  but 
Levi  hoped  for  the  best,  and  paid  close  attention  to 
sailing  his  boat.  The  schooner,  by  the  aid  of  her 
gaff-topsails  and  staysail,  kept  about  even  with  the 
Flag  until  nearly  sunset,  when  the  wind  again  died 
out,  and  left  the  boat  rolling  and  pitching  uneasily 
on  the  glassy  billows. 

"  Here  we  are  again,"  said  Levi,  impatiently.  "  We 
have  come  to  a  dead  stand-still." 


260  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OB 

"  I'm  so  sorry ! "  replied  Bessie,  sharing  the  dis 
appointment  of  her  companion. 

"  I  expected  to  be  in  sight  of  land  on  the  other 
side  before  this  time,"  added  Levi ;  "  and  here  we 
are,  in  sight  of  land  on  this  side.  I  am  sorry  1 
didn't  land  you  at  some  place,  and  let  you  go  home 
in  the  steamboat,  or  by  the  cars." 

"  Well,  it  can't  be  helped  now,  Levi,  and  we  may 
as  well  make  the  best  of  it,"  replied  Bessie,  who  felt 
it  her  duty  to  be  cheerful  under  the  trying  circum 
stances. 

"  Of  course  we  can't  help  ourselves,  and  we  may 
as  well  laugh  as  cry.  All  we  can  do  is  to  whistle 
for  a  breeze.  But  I'm  afraid  I  shall  not  get  to 
Rockport  in  season  for  the  trial." 

"  Don't  you  be  concerned  about  that,  Levi.  When 
my  father  finds  out  what  you  have  done  for  me,  he 
will  make  it  all  right.  My  father  knows  the  gov 
ernor,  —  he  has  been  to  our  house  in  Boston,  —  and 
I'm  sure  he  can  help  you." 

"  I  don't  like  to  have  my  uncle  telling  them  he 
knew  I  would  run  away,  and  all  that  sort  of  thing. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  261 

But  if  I  can  only  get  you  through  all  right,  Bessie, 
I  shall  be  satisfied,  even  if  I  do  have  to  go  to 
prison." 

"  You  shall  not  go  to  prison,  Levi ! "  answered 
Bessie,  firmly.  "  If  you  do,  I  will  go  with  you." 

"  That  wouldn't  do  any  good.  I  ought  not  to 
think  of  myself  at  all,  and  I  won't  any  more.  I 
will  do  the  best  I  can,  and  I  won't  trouble  my 
head  any  more  about  the  trial,  or  my  uncle,  or  the 
prison,  or  anything  else." 

"  You  are  a  good  boy,  Levi ;  and  God  will 
protect  you,  whatever  happens  ;  but  I  say  you  shall 
not  be  sent  to  prison.  I  will  go  to  the  governor 
myself,  and  on  my  knees — " 

"  Hallo ! "  shouted  Levi,  suddenly  springing  to 
his  feet. 

"  What  is  the  matter,  Levi  ?  "  asked  Bessie,  alarmed 
by  his  movements  and  his  words. 

"  Dock  Vincent  is  getting  out  his  boat ! " 

"What  for?" 

"Why,  he  is  going  to  row  the  jolly-boat  over  to 
us,"  said  Levi,  seizing  the  short  boat-hook  with 
which  he  had  done  such  good  service  before. 


262  THE    STARRY   FLAG,    OR 

The  Griffin  had  swung  round,  so  that  Levi  could 
see  those  on  board  lowering  the  jolly-boat,  which 
was  suspended  at  the  stern  davits.  They  saw 
Dock  and  one  of  his  men  get  into  the  boat,  and 
pull  towards  The  Starry  Flag. 

Bessie  trembled. 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OF   CAPE    ANN.  263 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

THE  NIGHT  AND  THE  GALE. 

WHAT  will  become  of  us  Levi?"  exclaimed 
Bessie,  as  she  saw  the  jolly-boat  of  the 
Griffin  approaching  The  Starry  Flag. 

"Don't  be  frightened,  Bessie.  We  shall  get  out 
of  this  scrape  some  how  or  other,  just  as  we  have 
done  before.  In  my  opinion  we  shall  have  a  breeze 
soon  from  the  southward  and  westward,  and  all,  or 
a  little  more  of  it,  than  we  want,"  replied  Levi ;  but 
his  words  had  hardly  any  meaning,  even  to  himself. 

"  What  can  we  do  if  he  comes  to  take  me  ? 
He  won't  let  you  hit  him  with  that  boat-hook 
again." 

*He  shall  not  take  you  out  of  this  boat,  Bessie, 
while  I'm  alive!"  added  Levi,  with  a  suggestive 
shake  of  the  head.  "I  wish  I  had  a  pistol  or  a 
gun." 


264  THE    STARKY    FLAG,    OR 

"  You  wouldn't  shoot  him  —  would  you,  Levi  ?  " 

"Just  as  quick  as  I  would  shoot  a  gull,  or  smash 
the  head  of  a  dog-fish." 

Still  the  jolly-boat  of  the  Griffin  continued  to  ap 
proach,  and  the  defences  of  The  Starry  Flag  were  as 
unsatisfactory  as  before.  Levi  was  anxious,  and  he 
could  not  decide  what  he  should  do.  He  could  not 
hope  successfully  to  resist  so  powerful  a  man  as  Dock 
Vincent,  assisted  now,  it  might  be,  by  one  of  his  men. 

"  He   is  almost  here,  Levi,"  said  Bessie,  in  terror. 

"I  know  he  is;  and  all  we  can  do  is  to  wait  for 
him,"  replied  Levi,  with  a  coolness  which  was  wholly 
assumed,  for  he  had  but  little  confidence  in  his  abil 
ity  to  defend  his  fair  companion. 

"What  shall  I  do?"  repeated  she. 

"Leave  it  all  to  me,  Bessie;  I  will  do  the  best  I 
can.  You  had  better  go  into  the  cuddy,  and  keep 
out  of  sight." 

The  terrified  girl  went  into  the  little  cabin,  and 
seated  herself  on  the  low  berth,  to  wait,  in  awful 
suspense,  the  result  of  Dock's  intended  visit. 

"  Better  keep  off! "  shouted  Levi,  as  the  jolly-boat 
name  within  hail  of  the  Flag. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  265 

Dock  paid  no  attention  to  the  hail,  and  Levi 
grasped  the  iron-shod  boat-hook  in  the  most  de 
termined  manner,  fully  resolved  to  fight  rather 
than  permit  his  passenger  to  be  taken  from  his 
protection;  and  to  fight  as  long  as  the  boat-hook 
held  together,  and  he  could  keep  his  head  above 
his  shoulders. 

"Better  keep  off!"  shouted  he  again. 

"I  want  to  see  you,  Levi,"  said  Dock,  as  he  and 
his  man  stopped  rowing,  when  the  jolly-boat  was 
within  twenty  feet  of  The  Starry  Flag. 

"Don't  come  any  nearer,  if  you  know  when  you 
are  well  off!  I  won't  stand  no  nonsense,"  replied 
the  young  skipper,  as  resolutely  as  though  he  had 
had  his  hand  on  the  lock-string  of  a  twenty-four 
pounder,  with  whose  iron  messenger  he  could  have 
sent  the  jolly-boat  and  her  crew  to  the  bottom  at 
his  own  pleasure. 

"I  want  to  talk  with  you,  Levi,"  added  Dock. 

"  Talk  as  much  as  you  like,  but  don't  come  any 
nearer." 

"I  owe  you  one  for  the  rap  you  gave  me  last 
night,  but  I  will  call  that  square,  if  you  will  do 
28 


<566  THE    STARRY   FLAG,   OB 

the  right  thing  now,"  continued  Dock,  as  he  pulled 
a  couple  of  strokes  with  his  oar. 

"  Stop  there  ! "  bellowed  Levi,  fiercely.  "  Don't  you 
come  any  nearer.  I  don't  want  to  shoot  you." 

"Have  you  got  a  pistol?" 

"  If  you  come  any  nearer  you  will  find  out  whether 
t  have  or  not." 

It  was  more  than  probable  that  Dock  would  find 
out  whether  Levi  had  a  pistol  or  not,  if  he  lessened 
the  distance  between  the  two  boats;  but  the  hint 
had  a  salutary  effect  upon  the  villanous  captain 
of  the  Griffin.  He  did  not  seem  disposed  to  test 
the  question,  for  wretches  like  him  are  generally 
cowards. 

"I  only  want  to  talk  with  you,  Levi,"  continued 
Dock. 

"Talk  away  as  much  as  you  please.  I  don't  care 
fiow  much  you  talk,  though  I'd  just  as  lief  hear  it 
thunder." 

"I  want  to  settle  up  this  business." 

"You  can't  settle  it  with  me." 

"Yes,  I  can.     I  didn't  mean  to  hurt  the  girl." 

"No  matter  what  you  meant,"  retorted  Levi. 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  267 

"If  you'll  come  aboard  my  vessel,  Levi,  Fll  make 
it  all  right  with  you.  If  you  want  to  make  five  or 
six  thousand  dollars,  I  can  put  you  in  the  way  of 
doing  it." 

«I  don't." 

"You  might  just  as  well  do  it  as  not.  We  won't 
hurt  the  girl." 

"  Shut  up !  You  needn't  talk  to  me  in  that  way," 
said  Levi,  indignantly. 

"  But  just  think  of  it  —  five  thousand  dollars  don't 
grow  on  every  bush,  you  know.  We  ain't  a-going 
to  steal  it,  you  see.  I  can  put  you  in  the  way  of 
getting  it  honestly." 

"I  can  put  you  in  the  way  of  spending  five  or 
six  years  in  the  State  Prison;  and  I'll  do  it  if 
you  don't  sheer  ofi^  and  go  back  to  your  vessel." 

"My  father  will  give  you  five  thousand  dollars, 
Levi,"  interposed  Bessie,  who  perhaps  did  not  know 
Levi  well  enough  to  understand  that  no  money  could 
tempt  him  to  do  a  mean  and  wicked  deed. 

"I  say,  Levi,  didn't  you  know  it  was  going  to 
blow  like  sixty  before  morning  ? "  persisted  Dock, 


268  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

growing  desperate  at  his  failure  to  move  the  gal 
lant  hero  of  The  Starry  Flag. 

"  Let  it  blow,"  replied  the  young  skipper. 

"You  will  get  swamped  in  that  open  boat." 

"Don't  trouble  yourself  about  me,"  answered  Levi, 
now  really  encouraged  and  hopeful,  for  he  saw  the 
gentle  ripple  of  a  coming  breeze  on  the  water. 

Dock  spoke  in  a  low  tone  to  Barnes,  who  was  his 
companion,  and  the  conversation  continued  for  a  mo 
ment,  and  then  became  rather  stormy.  It  was  evi 
dent  that  Dock  wanted  to  board  the  Flag,  and  take 
Bessie  out  of  her,  and  that  Barnes  was  opposed  to 
the  measure.  In  the  bottom  of  the  boat  there  was 
an  old  rusty  tin  dipper,  with  a  long  handle,  which 
Levi  picked  up.  Breaking  off  the  handle,  he  thought 
it  was  a  tolerably  good  imitation  of  the  barrel  of  a 
pistol,  and  he  took  some  pains  to  display  it  to  the 
men  in  the  jolly-boat,  hoping  that  it  would  quicken 
their  ideas  of  prudence  and  discretion. 

A  breath  of  air  swelled  the  sails  of  The  Starry 
Flag,  and  she  began  to  move  off  on  her  course  again. 
As  the  distance  between  her  and  the  jolly-boat  ki- 
cseased,  the  wrangling  between  Dock  and  Barnes 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    QF    CAPE    ANN.  269 

became  more  earnest,  and  even  fierce,  and  the  last 
words  which  Levi  heard,  as  the  sail-boat  gathered 
headway,  came  from  the  latter,  and  related  to  the 
pistol,  as  he  supposed  it  was,  which  he  had  seen  in 
the  hands  of  the  young  skipper. 

"All  right,  Bessie,"  said  Levi,  in  cheerful  tones,  as 
the  Flag  went  off  on  her  course. 

"  O,  I  am  so  glad ! "  ejaculated  she,  joining  him  ir 
the  standing-room. 

"I  think  Dock  persuaded  Barnes  to  come  out 
here  on  a  peaceful  mission.  He  meant  to  play  off 
a  trick  on  me,  and  get  us  aboard  the  Griffin." 

"But  he  offered  to  give  you  five  thousand  dollars 
if  you  would  help  him." 

"  Well,  I  wouldn't  do  it  if  he  would  give  me  five 
thousand  million  dollars,"  said  Levi,  laughing.  "But 
we  have  got  a  breeze  now,  and  I  don't  care  whether 
school  keeps  or  not." 

It  was  now  almost  dark.  The  weather  had  beer 
cloudy  during  the  latter  part  of  the  day,  and  the 
breeze  that  had  sprung  up  came  from  the  southward. 
To  Levi  there  was  a  dirty  look  all  round  the  horizon, 
and  he  realized  that  he  should  have  his  hands  full 
23* 


270  THE    STAKRY    FLAG,    OK 

before  morning.  He  did  not  express  his  fears  to 
Bessie  in  full,  not  wishing  to  terrify  her,  hoping 
she  would  go  to  sleep,  and  not  know  anything 
about  the  storm  when  it  came.  But  he  had  foil 
confidence  in  the  sea-going  qualities  of  The  Starry 
Flag,  and  was  quite  satisfied  that  she  could,  if 
well  handled,  weather  any  gale  that  ever  blew. 
He  had  tested  her,  and  believed  in  her. 

The  darkness  settled  down  upon  the  ocean,  and 
upon  the  little  craft.  Dock  had  returned  to  the 
Griffin,  which  could  not  now  be  seen  from  the 
Flag.  The  wind  continued  to  freshen,  and  the 
white  caps  on  the  dark  waves  could  be  seen  in 
the  gloom  of  the  cloudy  night. 

"I  think  you  had  better  turn  in,  Bessie,"  said 
Levi. 

"Turn  in?" 

"Go  to  bed,  I  mean." 

"  Don't  you  think  we  are  going  to  have  a  storm  ? " 

"It  looks  like  rain,  certainly,  and  it  may  blow 
pretty  hard." 

"Do  you  think  there  is  any  danger?" 

"Not  a  bit,  Bessie.      If  I  did  think  so,  I  should 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN   OP   CAPE   ANN.  27) 

make  tor  the  nearest  land.  We  are  much  safer  out 
here  than  we  should  be  in  among  those  islands." 

"  How  black  and  gloomy  it  looks  all  around  — 
don't  it?" 

"It  always  looks  so  in  a  cloudy  night  on  the 
water.  Now  turn  in,  Bessie." 

She  complied  rather  because  Levi  wished  it  than 
because  she  wanted  to  do  so.  She  lay  down  upon 
the  bed  her  friend  had  made  for  her  the  night  be 
fore.  Levi  covered  her  with  the  old  sail,  and  propped 
the  table-board  before  the  front  part  of  the  berth, 
banking  it  up  with  a  part  of  the  covering,  so  that 
she  could  not  roll  out  when  the  boat  pitched  vio 
lently,  as  the  skipper  knew  she  would  before 
morning.  He  then  returned  to  the  helm,  lashed 
his  lantern  to  the  seat,  and  carefully  secured  the 
compass,  in  anticipation  of  the  rough  time  he 
expected. 

Levi  heard  no  more  of  Bessie.  He  had  closed  the 
slide  and  the  double  doors  of  the  cuddy ;  but  there 
was  a  little  blind  in  each  of  the  latter,  which  in  the 
fresh  breeze  would  admit  a  sufficient  supply  of  air. 
His  fab.-  charge  was  safe  and  comfortable,  and  Levi 


272  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

turned  his  whole  attention  to  the  boat.  Within  nn 
hour  after  he  had  completed  his  preparations,  it  was 
blowing  decidedly  fresh ;  but  The  Starry  Flag,  still 
under  all  sail,  was  going  at  a  fierce  rate  through  the 
water,  and  not  laboring  very  heavily.  She  was  close- 
hauled,  or  nearly  so,  and  her  skipper  judged  that  ahe 
was  making  about  eight  knots  an  hour  —  a  rate  which 
was  entirely  satisfactory  to  him. 

At  midnight  it  blew  a  summer  gale.  Levi  had 
furled  the  jib,  and  put  two  reefs  in  his  mainsail;  but 
the  Flag  behaved  admirably,  and  still  held  her 
course. 

At  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  by  Levi's  time, — 
which  was  all  guess  work,  and  might  have  varied 
two  hours,  —  it  rained  in  torrents ;  but  the  gale 
had  subsided  in  a  measure,  and  one  reef  had  been 
turned  out  of  the  mainsail.  It  was  "  all  well "  on 
board,  though  Levi  was  drenched  to  the  skin.  A& 
long  as  the  boat  went  ahead  at  a  good  round  rate, 
he  did  not  care  for  anything  else.  It  seemed  hardly 
possible  that  Bessie  could  sleep  through  the  whole 
of  it,  for  the  Flag  in  the  heavy  seas  seemed  almost 
to  stand  up  straight  at  times;  the  waves  broke  in 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  273 

heavy  volumes  on  the  half  deck  over  her  head,  and 
the  air  was  filled  with  terrific  howls.  If  she  was 
awake,  she  said  nothing. 

At  daylight,  on  Thursday  morning,  the  gale  had 
moderated  into  a  fresh  breeze,  but  it  had  hauled  to 
the  westward,  so  that  Levi  could  not  lay  his  course. 
He  had  turned  out  his  reefs  in  the  mainsail,  and 
hoisted  the  jib.  The  sea  had  gone  down  consider 
ably,  and  there  was  every  prospect  of  a  pleasant  day. 

At  seven  o'clock,  judged  by  the  height  of  the  sun, 
the  boat  was  running  in  towards  White  Island  Light, 
on  the  Isles  of  Shoals.  Bessie  had  turned  out,  and 
declared  that  she  never  slept  better  in  her  life,  and 
that  The  Starry  Flag  was  a  "  perfect  love "  of  a 
boat. 

The  court  at  Rockport  was  to  come  in  at  ten 
o'clock,  and  Levi  was  still  twenty  miles  from  his 
destination ;  but  he  had  run  in  shore  far  enough 
to  get  a  slant,  and  was  sure  that  he  could  "  fetch " 
inside  of  Straitsmouth  on  the  home  tack.  Bessie 
brought  out  the  provisions,  and  "all  hands"  break 
fasted  on  board,  as  they  hoped,  for  the  last  time,  on 
that  cruise. 


274  THE    STAKBY   FLAG,  OB 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

THE  RETURN  OF  THE  STAKRY  FLAG. 

THE  excitement  which  followed  the  disappear 
ance  of  Bessie  Watson  had  only  partially  sub 
sided  on  Thursday  forenoon,  when  Mr.  Fairfield, 
Ruel  Belcher,  the  constable,  and  others,  assembled 
at  the  office  of  Squire  Saunders  for  the  continua 
tion  of  the  examination  of  Levi.  It  was  a  mere 
form,  for  the  defendant  was  not  in  town,  and  of 
course  the  trial  could  not  proceed.  The  two  gen 
tlemen  who  had  given  bail  for  the  appearance  of 
Levi  were  not  in  a  very  pleasant  frame  of  mind, 
for  the  young  man  had  neither  been  seen  nor 
heard  of  since  Monday  night. 

Without  delaying  the  current  of  our  story  long 
enough  to  detail  all  the  efforts  which  had  been 
used  to  find  Bessie,  the  search  had  been  as  thor 
ough  as  wealth  and  energy  could  make  it.  All 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN   OP    CAPE    AWBT.  275 

the  towns  on  the  coast  from  Boston  to  Portsmouth 
had  been  visited,  all  the  shores  had  been  examined, 
all  the  ponds  dragged,  and  all  the  out-of-the-way 
places  explored.  Fishermen,  sailors,  and  landsmen 
had  been  employed,  and  during  Tuesday  and 
Wednesday  there  was  not  an  idle  person  within 
ten  miles  of  Rockport,  and  the  busiest  of  them 
all  was  Mr.  Gayles,  the  constable. 

The  absence  of  Levi  Fairfield  was  not  discovered 
till  Tuesday  forenoon;  and  even  then  it  was  sup 
posed  that  he  had  gone  after  dog-fish,  as  usual,  in 
his  boat;  but  in  the  evening,  when  he  did  not  re 
turn,  and  nothing  had  been  heard  of  him,  it  was 
believed  that  something  unusual  had  occurred  to 
him.  Mr.  Watson  thought  it  very  singular  that  Levi 
should  thus  absent  himself  at  a  time  when  Bessie's 
parents  were  in  such  a  state  of  agonizing  suspense. 

By  Wednesday  noon,  when  Levi's  absence  was 
continued,  Mr.  Fairfield  began  to  be  hopeful  that 
his  ward  had  actually  departed,  never  more  to  re 
turn.  It  was  not  consistent  with  his  ideas  to  believe 
anything  good  of  Levi;  and  by  this  time  he  had 
fully  satisfied  himself  that  the  boy  had  run  away 


P76  THE    STARRY   FLAG,    OK 

—  that  he  feared  to  face  the  results  of  the  examina 
tion.  Some  thought  the  young  fisherman  had  ven 
tured  too  far  out  to  sea,  and  that  The  Starry  Flag 
had  been  swamped  and  sunk,  carrying  the  bold 
youth  down  with  her;  and  others  that  he  had 
&old  the  boat  in  some  port  not  yet  visited,  and 
"left  for  parts  unknown."  Mr.  Fairfield  did  not 
care  which  was  true,  if  one  of  them  could  only 
be  fully  established. 

The  miser  was  apt  to  be  a  fast  reasoner.  What 
he  wished  to  believe,  he  generally  succeeded  in 
making  out  to  be  true.  On  Wednesday  afternoon, 
he  was  pretty  well  satisfied  that  Levi  would  not 
borne  back  to  Rockport  again.  With  this  belief 
and  confidence,  he  once  more  drew  the  two  hun 
dred  and  fifty  dollars  —  the  identical  bills  paid  to 
Levi  by  Mr.  Watson  —  from  their  hiding-place,  and 
put  them  in  his  pocket.  Cunning  and  avaricious  men 
often  overreach  themselves;  and  it  would  have  been 
better  for  him,  though  worse  for  the  ends  of  truth 
and  justice,  if  he  had  permitted  the  money  to  remain 
in  its  hiding-place.  He  went  to  Gloucester  that 
afternoon,  to  see  a  man  who  had  applied  to  him 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  277 

for  a  loan  of  five  hundred  dollars  at  an  exorbitant 
rate  of  interest.  He  passed  the  bills,  with  an  equal 
amount  from  his  own  funds,  to  this  person,  with  the 
understanding  that  the  money  was  to  be  expended 
in  Boston  the  next  day. 

The  desire  to  obtain  the  extra  and  illegal  interest 
had  tempted  him  to  use  the  bills,  which  actually  be 
longed  to  Levi,  before  it  was  prudent  —  as  rogues 
use  this  word  —  to  do  so.  But  the  bills  would  go 
off  to  Boston,  and  would  soon  be  scattered,  and 
all  traces  of  them  lost.  Mr.  Fairfield  really  be 
lieved  that  he  was  shrewd,  and  that  it  would  not 
be  possible  for  the  bank  notes  to  appear  against 
him.  He  rubbed  his  hands  with  delight  when  he 
had  finished  the  business,  and  did  not  even  grudge 
the  thirty  cents  he  had  expended  in  railroad  fares  — 
which  was  more  extraordinary  than  any  other  part 
of  the  transaction. 

Mr.  Gayles  had  some  views  of  his  own  in  regard 
to  the  disappearance  of  Bessie  Watson  and  the  con 
tinued  absence  of  Levi.  Mr.  Watson  had  more  con 
fidence  in  him  than  in  any  other  person,  because  he 
had  been  so  energetic  in  the  search,  and  because, 
24 


278  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OK 

from  the  beginning,  he  had  spoken  words  of  hope  to 
the  distracted  parents.  When  Levi's  bail  grumbled, 
Mr.  Gayles  declared  that  the  boy  had  not  run  away; 
he  was  certain  that  he  would  come  back.  And  Mr. 
Watson  assured  the  grumblers,  that,  whether  Levi 
came  back  or  not,  he  would  pay  the  bail  if  it  should 
be  forfeited. 

"Mr.  Watson,  you  don't  know  Levi  Fairfield  as 
well  as  I  do,"  said  the  constable.  "  I  have  had  some 
dealings  with  him,  and  I  know  him  through  and 
through.  You  may  take  my  word  for  it,  he  hasn't 
run  away;  and  more  than  that,  I'll  be  willing  to 
give  all  the  money  I've  paid  for  dog-fish  livers  in 
two  years  if  that  boy  isn't  on  Cap'n  Dock  Vincent's 
track." 

"Do  you  think  so?"  asked  Mr.  Watson,  gathering 
fresh  hope  from  the  suggestion. 

"I  know  it.  I  can't  prove  it,  of  course;  but  it's 
sort  of  burnt  into  me  that  he  knows  more  about 
Bessie  at  this  minute  than  any  of  the  rest  of  us. 

"I  hope  so." 

"  We  found  out  yesterday  "  —  this  conversation  waa 


THE   YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OP   CAPE   ANN.  279 

on  Wednesday  —  "  that  the  Griffin  went  off  on  Mon 
day  night." 

"But  Levi  was  with  me  as  late  as  nine  o'clock." 

"  I  don't  know  exactly  how  it's  coming  about ;  but 
you  may  mark  my  words,  that  Levi's  on  the  track 
now." 

Mr.  Watson  could  only  hope  that  Levi  was  in  posi 
tion  to  assist  his  daughter,  if  she  were  still  living; 
but  as  it  had  been  ascertained  that  the  Griffin  went 
out  of  the  bay  between  four  and  five  o'clock,  while 
Levi  had  been  with  him  as  late  as  nine,  he  could 
not  fully  adopt  the  theory  of  the  constable. 

There  was  a  great  deal  of  interest  manifested  in 
the  examination  on  Thursday  forenoon.  People  were 
curious  to  know  what  would  be  done,  and  whether 
the  bail  would  be  forfeited.  Levi  could  not  appear, 
and  people  desired  to  know  what  would  be  said;  so 
they  assembled,  to  the  utmost  capacity  of  the  room, 
in  the  squire's  office,  and  twice  as  many  more  gath 
ered  around  the  door  in  the  street.  Mr.  Watson 
was  there,  prepared  with  able  counsel  to  argue  for 
a  postponement,  and  to  pay  every  dollar  of  expense 
that  had  been  or  might  be  incurred.  Mr.  Fairfield 


280  THE    STAKRY   FLAG,   OR 

was  there,  convinced  that  Levi  had  run  away,  or 
been  drowned.  Ruel  Belcher  was  there,  again  im 
posing  upon  his  brother-in-law  the  cruel  necessity  of 
expending  another  twenty-five  cents  for  "  a  slice  from 
the  un<lor  side *of  the  round."  Mr.  Gayles  was  not 
there  yet.  He  had  gone  to  the  post-office;  but  pres 
ently  lie  appeared  with  a  letter  in  his  hand  for  Mr. 
Watson,  which  he  had  observed  through  the  glass 
window  of  the  office.  He  gave  it  to  the  merchant, 
and  entered  into  conversation  with  the  counsel  for 
the  defendant. 

Squire  Saunders  said  he  was  ready  to  proceed  with 
the  business  of  the  court,  and  would  call  up  the  c?«e 
of  Levi  Fairfield,  continued  from  last  Thursday.  Mr. 
Gayles  stated  that  the  defendant  was  not  present. 

"  I  knowed  he  wouldn't  be,"  interposed  Mr.  Fair- 
field.  "  That  boy  has  run  away,  and  I  knowed  he 
would  all  the  time.  He's  a  bad  boy;  but  I  hope 
them  that  trusted  him  won't  lose  nothin  by  it." 

"Do  you  know  where  he  is,  Mr.  Fairfield?"  asked 
the  justice. 

"  Do   I  ?      No ;    I   don't    know  nothin    about   him, 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  281 

He's   hardly  been   near  ray  house  sence  he  stole  the 
money." 

Mr.  Cleaves,  who  had  been  employed  as  counsel 
for  Levi,  rose  to  state  the  case,  and  ask  for  a  further 
continuation  for  a  few  days.  He  was  confident  that 
the  defendant  would  appear  in  due  time,  and  that  he 
had  no  intention  to  evade  the  operation  of  the  law. 

"  Merciful  Heaven !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  Watson,  sud 
denly  rising  from  his  chair  with  the  letter  he  had 
just  received  in  his  hand,  and  his  whole  frame  quiv 
ering  with  emotion. 

"  Have  you  any  intelligence  from  the  defendant  ?  " 
asked  Squire  Saunders. 

"No,  sir;  but  I  have  from  my  daughter." 

But  then,  as  he  thought  of  the  condition  of  secrecy 
imposed  upon  him  by  Dock  Vincent,  he  hastily  fold 
ed  up  the  letter,  and  thrust  it  into  his  pocket. 

The  letter  was  that  which  Dock  Vincent  had  writ- 
ten  on  board  the  Griffin,  and  mailed  at  Rockland. 
What  was  twenty  or  fifty  thousand  dollars  to  the 
devoted  father  compared  with  the  loss  of  his  daugh 
ter?  He  was  ready  to  give  all  the  wretch  asked  to 
reclaim  her.  - 

24* 


282  THE    STAEEY   FLAG,   OB 

"  Where  is  she  ?  "  demanded  the  justice ;  and  those 
in  the  room  forgot  all  about  Levi,  for  the  moment, 
in  their  absorbing  interest  in  the  fate  of  Bessie. 

"  She  is  alive,  and  says  she  is  well.  Beyond  this 
I  am  not  permitted  to  say,"  replied  Mr.  Watson,  as 
he  moved  towards  the  door,  intent  upon  raising  the 
money  and  hastening  to  the  place  indicated  in  the 
letter  for  the  recovery  of  his  daughter. 

He  found  he  could  not  go  to  Boston  till  three 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  as  his  name  and  credit 
were  good  enough  in  Rockport  to  enable  him  to 
raise  the  required  sum  there,  he  determined  to  borrow 
the  money,  and  proceed  with  his  wife  to  Bangor. 
The  Cape  Ann  millionnaire,  one  of  Levi's  bail,  was 
present.  He  was  the  president  of  the  bank,  and 
promptly  offered  to  supply  the  funds,  though  he  was 
rather  curious  to  know  to  what  use  the  money  was 
to  be  applied.  But  Mr.  Watson  kept  his  own  coun 
sel,  fearful  that  Dock,  if  betrayed,  would  wreak  his 
Vengeance  on  his  darling  child.  As  nothing  could 
be  done,  the  merchant  decided  to  remain  at  the 
office  until  Levi's  case  was  disposed  of  for  that  day. 

Squire  Cleaves   continued   his   remarks,  urging  his 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  283 

reasons  for  a  postponement  of  the  examination. 
While  he  was  thus  engaged,  a  man,  with  more  en 
thusiasm  than  discretion,  rushed  into  the  room. 

"The  Starry  Flag  is  coming!"  shouted  he,  at  the 
top  of  his  lungs. 

"Where  is  she?"  asked  Mr.  Gayles. 

"  She  passed  Halibut  Point  half  an  hour  ago,  and 
je  headed  towards  Old  Pier  now." 

"  Is  Levi  in  her  ?  "  continued  Mr.  Gayles. 

"Yes,  sir;  and  there  is  a  girl  with  him." 

"A  girl!" 

"A  girl  about  a  dozen  years  old,  and  we  all 
reckon  it's  the  one  that  was  lost,"  replied  the 
messenger.  "  I've  been  looking  at  'em  through  my 
glass." 

The  court  adjourned  without  any  formalities  what 
ever,  and  everybody  rushed  down  to  Old  Pier,  in 
cluding  the  justice,  the  attorneys,  the  president  of  the 
bank,  ministers,  deacons,  and  laymen.  Mr.  Babson, 
who  was  at  the  justice's  room,  hastened  to  his  house 
as  fast  as  his  fat  legs  would  carry  him,  to  inform 
Mrs.  Watson  that  The  Starry  Flag  was  in  sight, 


284  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

with  a  girl  on  board  who  was  supposed  to  be  Bessie. 
The  anxious  mother  joined  the  crowd  of  people 
that  flocked  down  to  Old  Pier,  which  now  seemed 
to  have  half  the  population  of  the  town  gathered 
upon  it. 

The  report  was  correct :  The  Starry  Flag  was 
coming,  and  by  the  time  Mrs.  Watson  reached 
the  wharf,  and  the  crowd  had  opened  for  her  so 
that  she  could  join  her  husband  on  the  edge  of 
the  pier,  the  boat  was  within  hailing  distance. 
Levi  sat  at  the  helm,  his  bosom  bounding  with 
emotions  such  as  he  had  never  experienced  before. 
Bessie  sat  opposite  to  him,  even  more  agitated  than 
he.  She  recognized  her  father  and  mother  on  the 
wharf,  and  waved  her  handkerchief  to  them. 

"  It  is  she  !  It  is  she  !  "  exclaimed  the  delighted 
father;  and  a  thrill  of  joy  flew  through  the  hearts 
of  the  multitude. 

A  deafening  cheer  rose  on  the  air,  when  it  was 
certain  that  the  girl  was  Bessie.  Men  swung  their 
hats,  and  women  their  handkerchiefs,  and  the  wave 
of  rapture  in  the  hearts  of  the  multitude  was 


THE    YOUNG   FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  285 

mightier     than     the     swell     of    the     sea     beneath 
them. 

Levi  waved  his  hat  as  he  ran  The  Starry  Flag 
into  the  dock,  the  proudest  and  the  happiest 
fellow  that  ever  handled  a  tiller  or  manned  «* 
halyard. 


286  TILE    STABBT    FLAG,    OB 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

THE    RESULT    OP    THE    EXAMINATION. 

CHEER  after  cheer  rent  the  air  from  the  multi 
tude  on  the  pier  as  The  Starry  Flag  entered 
the  dock,  and  sweeping  round  in  a  graceful  circle, 
came  up  to  the  stone  steps  where  Mr.  Gayles  leaped 
on  board. 

"  How  are  you,  Levi  ? "  exclaimed  the  constable, 
grasping  the  hand  of  the  young  fisherman. 

"  O,  I'm  all  right,"  replied  the  blushing  skipper  of 
The  Starry  Flag. 

"  And  Miss  Bessie  —  let  me  hand  her  up  to  her 
father  and  mother,"  continued  Mr.  Gayles,  taking  the 
little  maiden  by  the  arm.  "  We  are  so  thankful  you 
are  safe!" 

"  O,  I  am  so  happy ! "  replied  Bessie,  trembling 
with  emotion. 

The  cheers  were  continued  by  the  excited  crowd 


THE    YOUNG    FISHEUMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  287 

as  the  kind-hearted  officer  conducted  Bessie  to  the 
bow  of  the  boat,  and  then  up  the  steps,  though  she 
Was  clasped  in  her  father's  arms  before  she  could 
reach  the  pier. 

"  My  child ! "  cried  Mrs.  Watson,  as  her  husband 
handed  Bessie  to  her  open  arms. 

It  was  a  touching  scene,  and  many  others  besides 
the  father  and  mother  wept  for  joy  as  Mrs.  Watson 
pressed  the  lost  one  to  her  bosom,  and  thanked  the 
good  Father,  from  the  deepest  depths  of  her  heart, 
for  restoring  her  child.  While  these  events  were 
transpiring  on  the  wharf,  Levi  let  go  his  halyards, 
and  then  quietly  seated  himself  at  the  stern  of  the 
boat,  where  he  had  sat  most  of  the  time  for  nearly 
three  days.  His  eyes  were  deeply  sunk  in  his  head, 
and  he  was  pale  and  haggard.  He  had  slept  but 
six  hours  during  the  whole  cruise,  and  was  worn 
out  with  watching,  care,  and  anxiety.  His  mission 
seemed  to  be  ended,  and  now  he  was  hardly  able 
to  hold  up  his  head. 

"  Three  cheers  for  Levi  Fail-field ! "  shouted  the 
enthusiastic  Cape  Ann  millionnaire  on  the  pier. 

The   cheers   were   given   with   a  hearty  good   will 


288  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

as  Bessie  was  handed  into  a  carryall  which  one  of 
the  crowd  pressed  upon  the  parents. 

"  Where  is  Levi  ? "  asked  Mr.  Watson,  who,  for 
the  moment,  had  forgotten  the  brave  deliverer  of 
his  daughter  as  the  torrent  of  parental  emotions 
flowed. 

"  He  is  in  the  boat,"  replied  Mr.  Gayles,  rushing 
down  the  steps  again  to  the  Flag.  "  Come,  Levi, 
you  are  wanted  on  shore,"  he  added. 

"  I'm  tired,  Mr.  Gayles,"  replied  Levi ;  "  and  I 
guess  I'll  stay  here  till  some  of  the  folks  have 
gone  off." 

"  No ;  Mr.  Watson  wants  to  see  you,  and,  besides, 
the  court  is  waiting  for  you." 

"  I  thought  the  court  was  down  here,"  added 
Levi,  with  a  faint  smile.  "I  see  Squire  Saunders 
and  others  on  the  wharf.  I'll  stow  my  jib  and 
mainsail,  and  go  with  you  in  a  minute." 

"  We  want  to  hear  your  story.  You  must  have 
had  a  hard  time  of  it,  for  it  blew  like  sixty  here 
last  night." 

"It  blew  some  where  I  was." 

Levi   was    not   permitted    to    secure    his   sails,   for 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  2&& 

that  office  was  taken  from  him  by  some  fishermen, 
and  Mr.  Gayles  conducted  him  to  the  vehicle  in 
which  Mrs.  Watson  and  Bessie  were  seated.  The 
happy  father  grasped  his  hand  as  he  approached, 
and  hurried  him  into  the  carryall,  in  which  he 
seated  himself  and  drove  off  towards  Mr.  Babson's 
house. 

It  had  already  been  ascertained,  from  Bessie's 
brief  statement,  that  The  Starry  Flag  had  actually 
sailed  three  hundred  miles  over  the  open  ocean, 
and  had  been  to  the  mouth  of  the  Penobscot. 
Some  of  the  crowd  lingered  to  gaze  upon  her,  and 
express  their  admiration  of  her  good  behavior,  and 
the  skill  and  daring  of  the  youth  who  had  piloted 
her  through  the  night,  and  the  darkness,  and  the 
storm,  on  her  errand  of  mercy.  The  boat  was 
entitled  to  a  portion  of  the  credit,  and  she  was 
warmly  praised.  Mr.  Hatch  was  almost  as  proud 
and  happy  as  though  he  had  been  on  the  cruise, 
for  he  had  built  the  boat,  and  she  was  a  credit  to 
his  skill. 

"Don't  tell  me  Levi  stole  that  money,  after  this," 
said  he,  when  the  boat  had  been  duly  commended, 
25 


290  THE    STARRY    FLAG,   OR 

as  the  people  walked  back  to  the  office  of  Squire 
Saunders  to  hear  the  rest  of  the  examination. 

Mr.  Watson  drove  up  the  street,  and  the  carriage 
was  followed  by  a  portion  of  the  crowd,  anxious 
to  learn  the  particulars  of  the  cruise  of  The  Starry 
Flag. 

"I  don't  know  what  would  have  become  of  me, 
father,  if  it  hadn't  been  for  Levi,"  said  Bessie. 

"  Some  of  the  people  supposed  Levi  had  run 
away;  but  Mr.  Gayles  was  quite  sure  that  he  would 
return." 

"TJncle  Nathan  thought  I  had  run  away,  I  sup 
pose,"  added  Levi,  rather  dryly. 

"  He  was  sure  of  it." 

"Poor  child!  "What  a  hard  time  you  have  had!" 
said  Mrs.  Watson,  as  she  drew  Bessie  close  to 
her  side. 

"  Indeed,  I  have  not,  mother,"  replied  the  little 
wanderer;  "at  least  not  since  I  left  Dock  Vincent's 
vessel." 

"But  you  have  been  in  an  open  boat  all  the 
time." 

"I  slept  in  the  little  cabin   all  night,  and  didn't 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.         291 

wake  up  once,  though  Levi  told  me  this  morning  he 
had  had  a  gale  of  wind." 

"You  must  have  had  a  hard  time  of  it,  Levi," 
added  Mi'.  Watson. 

"  Well,  I  am  rather  tired ;  but  I  shall  be  as  good 
as  new  after  I  have  made  up  my  sleep." 

The  vehicle  stopped  at  Mr.  Babson's  house,  and 
the  party  went  in.  Mr.  Gayles  and  others  soon 
arrived.  Between  Bessie  and  Levi  the  story  of 
the  cruise  was  soon  told.  Mrs.  Watson  wept  afresh 
as  she  listened  to  the  perils  through  which  her 
darling  daughter  had  passed ;  and  both  father  and 
mother  wanted  to  hug  Levi  in  their  admiration 
for  his  noble  daring,  his  skill,  energy,  and  reso. 
lution. 

"We  must  go  to  Squire  Saunders's  office  now, 
Levi,  if  you  feel  able,"  interposed  Mr.  Gayles,  when 
the  story  was  finished. 

"Not  till  he  has  had  some  breakfast,"  said  Mrs. 
Babson,  decidedly.  "The  poor  fellow  has  been  up 
all  night,  and  I  suppose  he  hasn't  had  even  a  cup 
of  coffee  to-day." 

"  The  court  is  waiting." 


292  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"Let  it  wait,"  added  Mrs.  Babson.  "If  Squirfc 
Saunders  can't  stop  for  the  poor  boy  to  drink  a  cup 
of  coffee,  he  isn't  fit  to  be  a  judge." 

The  breakfast  was  all  ready,  and  the  wanderers 
sat  down  at  the  hospitable  board.  Mr.  Gayles  went 
to  the  magistrate's  office,  which  was  crowded  with 
people,  and  told  them  the  story  to  which  he  had 
just  listened.  They  were  all  willing  to  wait  for 
Levi  as  long  as  he  wished  ;  and  when  he  arrived 
with  Mr.  Watson,  every  man  in  the  room  insisted 
upon  taking  him  by  the  hand  —  every  one  except 
Mr.  Fairfield. 

Uncle  Nathan  felt  cheap.  He  would  have  sold 
himself  out  for  sixpence.  Levi  was  a  lion,  a  hero. 
People  would  mob  the  justice  if  lie  attempted  to 
bind  him  over  for  trial.  The  case  was  lost,  so  far 
as  injuring  Levi  was  concerned,  and  the  guardian 
was  even  prepared  to  follow  the  popular  current ; 
it  was  hardly  safe  for  him  to  do  otherwise,  for  the 
people  might  take  it  into  their  heads  to  pull  his 
old  buildings  down  if  he  persisted  in  persecuting 
his  ward.  But  Mr.  Fairfield  realized  that  he  had 
rmde  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  Levi  had 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  293 

stolen  the  money,  —  he  still  believed  this  to  be 
the  truth,  —  and  he  had  obtained  it.  He  had  paid 
it  away,  the  money  had  gone  to  Boston,  and  there 
was  no  longer  any  danger  that  it  would  be  found 
upon  his  person  or  his  premises. 

The  case  was  opened  again.  The  witnesses  testi. 
fied  as  before ;  but  Dock  Vincent  was  not  present, 
and  Mr.  Fairfield  did  not  venture  to  repeat  his 
belief  that  Levi  had  stolen  the  money.  Mr.  Hatch, 
as  before,  said  he  had  received  the  bills  for  the 
boat,  but  could  not  state  positively  that  the  bills 
identified  by  Ruel  Belcher  were  the  ones  paid  to 
him.  Mr.  Watson  was  called,  and  swore  that  he 
had  given  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  to  Levi, 
which  the  boy  persisted  in  regarding  as  a  loan. 

"  Could  you  identify  the  bills  you  paid  to  Levi 
Fail-field  ?  "  asked  Squire  Cleaves,  who  acted  as  coun- 
i?l  for  the  defendant. 

"I  could,"  replied  Mr.  Watson,  taking  a  memo 
randum  book  from  his  pocket.  "It  is  my  custom 
to  note  down  the  number  and  description  of  aU 
bank  bills  larger  than  twenties  which  come  into  my 
possession." 

25* 


294  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"  "Will  you  be  kind  enough  to  look  at  these 
bills  ? "  added  Squire  Cleaves,  handing  him  three 
bank  notes. 

Mr.  Watson  took  the  bills,  and  compared  their 
description  with  the  memorandums  before  him. 

"  They  are  the  bills  I  paid  to  Levi  Fairfield,"  said 
he.  "  I  checked  them  off  of  my  book  after  I  entered 
the  train  that  morning." 

"You  are  entirely  sure?" 

"It  is  impossible  that  I  should  be  mistaken." 

"  That  will  do ;  step  down,  if  you  please.  Mr, 
Gayles,  call  Captain  Treadwell." 

The  witness  indicated  was  conducted  to  the  table 
from  an  adjoining  room.  The  crowd  opened  for 
him ;  and  when  he  appeared,  Mr.  Fail-field  turned 
pale  and  trembled  in  every  joint  of  his  frame.  The 
captain  was  sworn,  and  took  the  stand. 

"  Captain  Treadwell,  do  you  know  these  bills  ? " 
continued  Squire  Cleaves. 

"I  do,"  replied  the  witness,  after  deliberately  ex 
amining  them. 

"  State  what  you  know  about  them." 

"They   were   paid    to   me  by  Mr.   Fairfield.      H« 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  295 

lent  me  five  hundred  dollars  yesterday,  and  these 
bills  were  part  of  the  money." 

"  'Tain't  so ! "  interrupted  the  miserable  guardiam 
of  Levi. 

"  Silence ! "  said  the  justice. 

"I  tell  you  I've  had  them  bills  for  more'n  two 
months,  and  I  didn't  steal  'em  nuther,"  persisted  Mr. 
Fairfield,  desperately. 

"  Silence,  sir !  or  I'll  commit  you  for  contempt," 
added  Squire  Saunders. 

Mr.  Fairfield  "  subsided,"  but  the  cold  sweat  stood 
on  his  forehead,  and  his  heart  was  almost  in  his 
mouth. 

"  Go  on,  Captain  Treadwell,"  said  the  counsel  for 
the  defendant. 

"  Before  Mr.  Fairfield  was  out  of  sight,  Mr.  Gayles 
came  up,  and  wanted  to  see  the  money  paid  to  me. 
I  showed  it  to  him." 

Mr.  Gayles  looked  at  Levi,  and  Levi  looked  at 
Mr.  Gayles.  Both  of  them  smiled.  The  constable 
had  kept  one  eye  on  the  guardian  all  the  time, 
and  when  he  went  to  Gloucester,  had  followed  and 
watched  him.  Mr.  Fairfield  had  "reckoned  without 


296  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

his  host,"  as  bad  men  are  apt  to  do.  Levi's  absence 
had  given  him  confidence  to  dispose  of  the  bills; 
and  while  the  ward  had  served  Bessie  by  his  mission 
to  the  Penobscot,  he  had  served  himself. 

"It  seems  to  me  this  is  a  clear  case,"  said  Squire 
Cleaves,  after  all  the  evidence,  including  the  de 
fendant's,  had  been  heard.  "Levi  paid  this  money 
to  Mr.  Hatch ;  and  the  young  man  testifies  that 
these  bills,  identified  by  Mr.  Watson,  are  the  iden 
tical  ones  with  which  he  paid  for  the  boat.  These 
same  bills  are  now  paid  by  Mr.  Fairfield  to  Captain 
Treadwell.  Where  did  Mr.  Fairfield  get  them  ? 
Of  course,  when  Mr.  Hatch  permitted  him  to  look 
at  them,  he  substituted  the  stolen  bills  for  these  ; 
and  it  follows,  as  the  day  follows  the  night,  that 
Mr.  Fairfield  stole  them  from  his  brother-in-law 
himself." 

"  I  didn't  steal  'em  —  no  sich  thing  !  "  shouted 
Mr.  Fail-field. 

"Perhaps  you  will  tell  where  you  did  get  them," 
added  Squire  Cleaves. 

"I  found  'em  in  the  chimbly,"  gasped  the  guar 
dian,  desperately. 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  297 

"  Can  you  inform  the  court  how  they  came  in  the 
chimney  ?  " 

"  Levi  hid  'em  there,"  answered  Mr.  Fairfield,  so 
confused  and  overborne  by  the  unexpected  revela 
tions  that  his  cunning  forsook  him,  and  he  told  what 
he  believed  to  be  the  truth. 

Mr.  Fairfield  was  put  upon  the  stand  again,  and 
actually  told  the  whole  truth  —  actually  confessed 
that  he  had  changed  the  bills. 

"  Why  did  you  change  them  ? "  asked  the  jus 
tice.  "  Did  you  wish  to  have  your  ward  con 
victed  ?  " 

"Sartinly  not." 

"Why,  then?" 

"I'm  that  boy's  guardeen,  and  I  can't  do  nothin 
with  him.  He  fit  me  t'other  day  like  a  wildcat ; 
and  —  " 

"What  has  that  to  do  with  it?"  demanded  the 
justice,  impatiently.  "  Tell  the  truth,  or  you  shal) 
be  prosecuted  for  perjury." 

"  You're  all  down  on  me  now ;  but  I  mean  to 
tell  the  truth,  as  I  allers  did.  Levi  stole  that 
money,  and  hid  it  in  the  chimbly.  I  knowed  this. 


298  THE    STABBY    FLAG,    OK 

Now,  ef  I  hadn't  changed  the  bills,  the  boy'd  got 
off,  and  fooled  all  that  money  away  on  a  boat.  Ef 
the  bills  was  found  in  the  chimbly,  I  wanted  it  to 
look  as  ef  Levi  took  the  money  he  stole  to  buy 
the  boat,  and  hid  what  Mr.  Watson  gin  him  in 
Ruel's  wallet.  As  I  fixed  things,  Ruel  got  his 
money  back,  and  I  got  what  Mr.  Watson  paid 
Levi — jist  to  keep  for  him,  for  I'm  his  guardeen." 

It  did  not  yet  appear  who  had  stolen  the  wallet. 
It  lay  between  Levi  and  his  uncle.  There  was  not 
now  a  particle  of  evidence  to  prove  that  Levi  was 
guilty,  and  he  was  accordingly  discharged,  much  to 
the  satisfaction  of  the  spectators,  who  believed  that 
Mr.  Fairfield  was  the  thief.  Nothing  could  be 
proved ;  but  it  was  supposed  that  the  miser  would 
be  arrested  in  a  day  or  two,  after  the  lawyers  had 
"  compared  notes." 

Levi  left  the  office,  and  was  enthusiastically  cheered 
by  the  crowd  on  the  street.  He  went  up  to  see 
Bessie  and  her  mother  again,  promising  to  stay  with 
Mr.  Gayles  over  night. 

Mr.  Fairfield  and  Ruel  Belcher  went  back  to 
the  old  house,  and  spent  the  rest  of  the  day  in 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  299 

talking  about  the  robbery.  They  could  make  noth 
ing  of  it.  Ruel  would  not  admit  that  Levi  stole 
his  money,  while  his  brother-in-law  insisted  upon 
his  opinion.  They  became  quite  excited  over  the 
question,  and  the  discussion  was  continued  till  a 
late  hour  in  the  evening,  when  Ruel  retired. 

"  Massy  sake !  what's  the  matter  ?  "  exclaimed  Mrs. 
Fairfield  in  the  night,  being  awakened  by  a  violent 
noise  in  Levi's  chamber. 

"Robbers  —  ain't  it?"  gasped  the  miser. 

"  I  dunno ;  for  massy  sake,  git  up  and  find  out." 

"  Seems  as  ef  the  rest  of  that  dumbly 's  comin 
down." 

Mr.  Fairfield  partially  dressed  himself,  and  went 
to  Levi's  room.  He  was  terribly  frightened ;  but 
his  money  was  as  dear  as  his  life,  and  he  entered 
the  room  with  a  light  in  his  hand. 

On  the  hearth,  with  his  head  up  the  chimney, 
stood  Ruel  Belcher  in  his  night-dress.  His-  eyei 
were  open,  but  he  looked  confused  and  stupid. 


300  THE    STARRY    FLAG,   OR 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

CONCLUSION. 

CREATION,  Ruel !     What  on  airth  are  yon  doin 
in    there  ? "  demanded    Mr.    Fail-field,    surprised 
rather   than    alarmed   at   the   situation   of  his  guest. 

Ruel  Belcher  made  no  reply. 

"What  is  it,  Nathan?  For  pity's  sake,  tell  me!" 
called  Mrs.  Fail-field,  who  had  stationed  herself  at  the 
foot  of  the  stairs  to  listen. 

"  Come  up  here,  wife." 

"What's  the  matter?"  continued  Mrs.  Fail-field, 
who  had  been  partially  assured  by  the  voice  and 
the  tones  of  her  husband. 

"  Sunthin  ails  Ruel,"  answered  Mr.  Fail-field,  as 
tonished  that  his  brother-in-law  did  not  speak. 

"Goodness!"  He  ain't  sick  —  is  he?"  said  the 
wife,  as  she  went  up  the  stairs. 

•'There  he  is;  he  seems  to  be  goin  up  chimbly." 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  301 

"  Gooilncss  gracious !  ef  Ruel  ain't  at  his  old 
tricks ! "  ejaculated  Mrs.  Fairfield,  holding  up  both 
hands  in  astonishment.  "  I  thought  he  got  cured 
of  them  long  ago." 

"Why,   what  ails  him?" 

"Don't  you  see,  he  gits  up  in  his  sleep?  I  don't 
know  what  he's  doin  in  the  chimbly." 

"What  shall  I  do?     Shall  I  wake  him  up?" 

"Jest  kind  o'  coax  him  out  if  you  can.  They  say 
it  don't  do  sech  folks  no  good  to  wake  'em  up  when 
they're  at  their  tantrums." 

Mr.  Fail-field  followed  the  advice  of  his  wife ;  but 
Ruel  was  much  more  obstinate  in  his  sleep  than  he 
was  when  awake,  and  was  not  inclined  to  be  coaxed. 
He  persisted  in  feeling  of  the  bricks  inside  of  the 
chimney,  and  appeared  to  be  looking  for  something. 
His  brother-in-law  tried  to  make  him  stoop,  and 
crawl  out  of  the  chimney ;  but  he  was  obstinate, 
and  did  not  seem  to  be  conscious  that  he  was 
not  alone.  Mr.  Fairfield  continued  his  efforts,  which 
at  last  became  so  violent  that  he  awoke  the  sleeper. 

Ruel  gave  a  "heavy  start,"  a  long  gasp,  and 
stared  at  his  companion.  In  his  operations  he  had 
26 


302  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

dislodged  a  brick,  which  had  fortunately  descended 
to  the  hearth  without  hitting  him.  He  rubbed  his 
eyes  as  he  came  to  himself,  and  then  yawned. 

"  What  you  doin  in  here,  Ruel  ? "  demanded  Mr. 
Fail-field. 

"  I  don't  know.  Where  am  I  ? "  replied  the 
sleep-walker. 

"  Stoop  down,  and  git  out ;  you  were  goin  up 
chimbly,  I  s'pose." 

Ruel  obeyed,  and  bent  his  head  enough  to  enable 
him  to  pass  out  into  the  chamber. 

"  Massy  sake  ! "  ejaculated  his  sister. 

"  What  do  you  want  ?  What  are  you  doing  here  ?  " 
asked  Ruel,  apparently  more  astonished  than  any  one 
else  at  the  awkwardness  of  the  situation. 

"What  are  you  doin,  Ruel?"  added  Mrs.  Fair- 
field. 

"  I'm  not  doing  anything  —  at  least,  I  don't  know 
anything  about  it,"  continued  Ruel,  with  a  look  of 
blank  amazement. 

"  Well,  git  into  bed  again ;  you'll  git  your  death 
o'  cold,  poking  round  with  nothin  on  but  your 
night  clothes." 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  308 

Ruel  was  quite  tractable  now;  but  it  was  found 
tlut  his  hands  were  covered  with  "  crock,"  and 
after  washing  them  he  retired  again. 

"  What  was  you  doin  in  the  chimbly,  Ruel  ? " 
asked  Mr.  Fairfield. 

"I  don't  know." 

"  You  are  at  your  old  tricks  again,"  added  Mrs. 
Fairfield.  "When  you  was  a  young  man,  you  used 
to  git  up  in  your  sleep  a'most  every  night,  and  we 
used  to  be  scared  a'most  to  death  for  fear  sun- 
thin  would  happen  to  '  you.  I  know  you  got  up 
one  night  and  hunted  all  over  the  house  for  a 
half  dollar  you  had  lost.  I  s'pose  you  was  worried 
about  it." 

"Can't  you  tell  what  you  was  a  dreamin  on?" 
asked  Mr.  Fairfield. 

Ruel  rubbed  his  eyes,  and  thought  a  moment. 

"  It  comes  to  me  now,"  said  he.  "  I  was  dreaming 
uf  that  wallet  I  lost.  It  seemed  to  me  just  aa 
though  I  had  put  it  somewhere,  and  was  going 
to  look  for  it." 

"  I  vow,  Ruel,  you  put  that  wallet  in  the  chimbly 
yourself,  jest  where  Nathan  found  it!"  exclaimed 


304  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

his  sister,  a  flood  of  light  suddenly  bursting  in 
upon  her. 

"I  shouldn't  wonder;  but  I  didn't  know  I  got  up 
in  ray  sleep  any  of  late  years,"  replied  Ruel,  with  a 
sheepish  look,  as  he  thought  of  the  mischief  which 
his  involuntary  act  had  caused. 

"You  ain't  to  blame,  of  course.  I  hain't  seen 
much  of  you  sence  I  was  married,  and  I  never 
thought  of  sech  a  thing  as  your  gittin  up  in  your 
sleep  now  days." 

"  I  remember  now  that  my  hands  were  covered 
with  crock  in  the  morning  after  I  slept  with 
Levi;  but  I  didn't  think  anything  of  it.  I  sup 
posed  I  got  it  on  somewhere  round  the  stove," 
added  Ruel. 

"  Yes,  and  I  found  the  sheets  smooched  too ;  but 
Levi's  allers  into  the  dirt  so  deep  that  it  didn't  strike 
me  as  anything  strange,"  said  his  sister. 

"  I'm  very  sorry  for  the  trouble  I've  caused ;  but 
I  didn't  mean  to  do  it." 

"Of  course  you  couldn't  help  it.  One  thing  is 
Bartin,  now,  that  Levi  didn't  steal  that  money." 

"  I   s'pose   he    didn't ;    but  I   guess    it    ain't    best 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  305 

to  say  anything  about  this  matter,"  said  Mr. 
Fail-field. 

"  Not  say  anything  about  it ! "  exclaimed  Ruel, 
rising  up  in  the  bed. 

"  Tain't  best  —  is  it !  " 

"  I  think  it  is ;  we'll  tell  the  truth,  at  any 
rate." 

Ruel  was  an  honest  man,  and  he  was  not  willing 
that  even  a  suspicion  should  any  longer  rest  upon 
Levi  while  he  had  the  means  of  exonerating  him. 

"  I  don't  know  how  it'll  work  to  tell  on't,"  said 
Mr.  Fail-field. 

"  I  don't  care  how  it  works.  No  harm  has  been 
done  to  any  one  yet.  You  changed  the  bills  in  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Hatch,  Nathan.  That  was  wrong." 

"But  I  was  just  as  sartin  as  I  could  be  that  Levi 
stole  that  money." 

"  Well,  why  didn't  you  tell  of  it  when  you  found 
it  in  the  chimney  ?  "  demanded  Ruel,  indignantly. 

"I  was  just  as  sartin  that  Levi  hid  it  there.  All 
I  wanted  was  to  keep  the  boy  from  foolin  away 
his  money." 

Ruel  was  not  willing  to  believe  this.  He  was 
26* 


306  THE    STARKY   FLAG,    OB 

satisfied  that  the  miser  intended  to  convict  the  boy 
of  the  crime,  and  he  was  determined  that  the  whole 
truth  should  be  told.  The  parties  all  went  back  to 
bed.  In  the  morning  Ruol  went  to  Squire  Saunders, 
full  of  mortification  and  regret,  and  narrated  the 
scene  we  have  described,  deducing  from  the  fact 
that  his  hands  were  covered  with  "  crock "  on  the 
morning  after  the  loss  of  his  money  the  real 
truth,  that  he  had  hidden  the  wallet  in  the  chim 
ney  himself.  Mr.  Watson,  Mr.  Gayles,  and  Levi 
were  sent  for,  and  the  whole  matter  was  carefully 
considered.  While  the  party  in  the  lawyer's  office 
were  thus  occupied,  Mr.  Fairfield  and  his  wife  ap 
peared,  for  the  miser  was  unwilling  that  anything 
about  him  should  be  said  behind  his  back. 

Ruel,  in  his  anxiety  for  the  safety  of  his  money, 
during  his  first  visit,  had  dreamed  about  it,  and  be 
ing  a  sleep-walker,  had  risen  from  his  bed  under  the 
influence  of  this  anxiety,  and  placed  the  wallet  where 
his  brother-in-law  had  found  it.  After  the  second 
examination,  he  and  Mr.  Fairfield  had  conversed  till 
a  late  hour  at  night  about  the  guilt  of  Levi,  and 
doubtless  the  excitement  had  followed  him  into  hii 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OF    CAPE    ANN.  307 

sleep ;  and  again  dreaming  of  his  wallet,  he  had  got 
up  to  search  for  it.  This  explanation,  with  the  testi 
mony  of  his  sister  in  regard  to  his  early  sleep-walk 
ing  habit,  fully  satisfied  those  present  that  the  real 
truth  had  been  reached  at  last.  It  cleared  Levi  of 
even  the  shadow  of  a  suspicion. 

It  also  relieved  Mr.  Fail-field  of  the  guilt  of  steal 
ing  the  wallet,  but  not  of  the  fact  that  he  had 
changed  the  bills;  and  it  was  in  vain  for  him  to 
plead  that  he  had  done  so  only  to  prevent  Levi 
from  "foolin  away  the  money." 

"  Mr.  Fairfield,"  said  Squire  Saunders,  "  you  have 
proved  that  you  are  not  a  fit  person  to  have  the 
charge  of  a  young  man  like  Levi." 

"  Why  not,  —  I'd  like  to  know,"  demanded  the 
miser. 

"In  the  first  place,  you  are  not  an  honest  man. 
You  have  done  your  best  to  convict  the  young 
man  of  a  crime  of  which  he  was  not  guilty." 

"  I  had  good  reason  to  believe  he  was  guilty." 

"You  had  no  right  to  change  the  bills;  and  you 
are  guilty  of  perjury  and  conspiracy.  You  have 
done  enough  to  send  you  to  the  State  Prison  now." 


308  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

"  For  pity's  sake  !  "   ejaculated  Mrs.  Fail-field. 

"  I  do  not  know  that  it  is  advisable  to  proceed 
against  you ;  but  it  is  certainly  highly  improper 
that  you  should  continue  to  be  the  guardian  of 
your  nephew,  or  that  his  property  should  be  longer 
intrusted  to  your  keeping.  Levi,  do  you  wish  to 
remain  with  your  uncle?"  continued  Squire  Saun- 
ders,  turning  to  the  young  fisherman. 

"No,  sir,"  replied  he,  decidedly. 

"Then  you  may  petition  the  Probate  Court  to 
remove  your  guardian  and  appoint  another.  Do 
you  think  of  any  person  you  would  like  to  have?" 

"Yes,  sir  — Mr.  Gayles." 

"Very  well;  I  will  see  that  the  proper  papers  are 
made  out." 

Levi  had  no  malice  against  his  uncle,  for  he  had 
not  vainly  studied  the  words  and  contemplated  the 
divine  example  of  Him  who  said,  "  Love  your  ene 
mies,  bless  them  that  curse  you,  do  good  to  them 
that  hate  you,  and  pray  for  them  which  despite- 
fully  use  you  and  persecute  you."  It  was  not  neces 
sary  that  he  should  live  with  his  uncle,  and  be 
starved  and  buffeted  in  the  future  as  he  had  been 


THE    YOUNG    FISHERMAN    OP    CAPE    ANN.  309 

in  the  past;  but  it  was  necessary  that  no  thought 
of  evil  or  revenge  should  lurk  in  his  heart. 

Mr.  "Watson,  Mr.  Gayles,  and  others  thought  that 
Mr.  Fairfield  should  be  prosecuted  for  perjury  in 
swearing  that  he  did  not  change  the  bills,  and 
for  conspiracy  in  attempting  to  procure  the  con 
viction  of  his  ward ;  but  Levi  pleaded  for  him,  and 
begged  that  no  steps  might  be  taken. 

"Now,  Levi,  you  must  dine  with  us  to-day,"  said 
Mr.  Watson.  "  Bessie  is  not  satisfied  when  you  are 
out  of  sight.  And,  Mr.  Gayles,  you  must  come 
too." 

Bessie  welcomed  the  young  fisherman  like  a  broth 
er,  and  as  the  truest  of  friends.  They  talked  over 
the  cruise  of  The  Starry  Flag  till  dinner  time,  and 
Levi  insisted  that  the  excursion  to  Thatcher's  Island 
should  take  place  the  next  day. 

"  Mr.  Gayles,  you  are  to  be  Levi's  guardian ;  I  sup 
pose  it  is  a  settled  fact,"  said  Mr.  Watson,  as  the 
party  seated  themselves  under  the  piazza,  on  the 
shady  side  of  the  house,  after  dinner. 

"If  I  am  I  shall  do  the  best  I  can  for  him," 
replied  Mr.  Gayles.  "  If  it  hadn't  been  for  him, 


310  THE    STARRY    FLAG,    OR 

i  should  not  be  here  now,  for  he  saved  my  lift! 
even  while  I  had  a  warrant  for  his  arrest  in  my 
pocket." 

"  You  have  been  a  good  friend  to  him,  and  he 
believes  in  you  —  to  use  his  own  expression.  Yes 
terday  I  made  arrangements  to  pay  that  wretch,  Dock 
Vincent,  twenty-two  thousand  dollars  to  restore  Bessie 
to  me.  If  Levi  had  not  returned  with  her  as  he  did, 
I  should  have  been  on  my  way  to  Bangor  in  the 
afternoon.  The  money  was  nothing;  but  it  seems  to 
me  no  more  than  right  that  I  should  do  as  much 
for  Levi  —  honest,  faithful,  and  brave  —  as  I  was 
willing  to  do  for  that  miserable,  cowardly  scoun 
drel  who  carried  off  my  child.  As  Boon,  there 
fore,  as  you  are  appointed  the  guardian  of  Levi, 
I  shall  pay  over  to  you  the  sum  of  twenty-two 
thousand  dollars,  to  be  held  in  trust  for  him  until 
he  is  twenty-one,  when  it  shall  be  his  own." 

"  No,  sir !  "  protested  Levi.  "  I  don't  want  any 
thing  of  that  sort  done.  I  don't  do  that  kind  of 
jobs  for  money." 

Mr.  Watson  was  determined  to  have  his  own  way, 
and  Levi,  in  spite  of  himself,  was  made  a  rich  man. 


THE    YOUNG   FISIIEIt&IAN    OF    CAPE    ANX.  oil 

At  the  next  session  of  the  Probate  Court,  Mr.  Fair- 
field  was  removed,  and  Mr.  Gayles  appointed  the 
guardian  of  Levi.  The  miser  groaned  when  he  was 
compelled  to  give  up  the  property  of  his  late  ward. 
It  was  like  taking  out  his  teeth,  especially  as  Mr. 
Gayles  inquired  very  closely  into  every  investment, 
and  refused  to  pay  some  exorbitant  bills  for  board 
and  clothing.  But  the  business  was  happily  finished, 
and  Levi  was  duly  installed  in  his  new  home  at 
Mr.  Gayles's  house. 

Dock  Vincent,  when  he  found  he  could  not  over 
take  The  Starry  Flag,  put  back  to  a  port  in  Maine, 
where  he  sold  his  vessel  and  paid  off  his  men.  It 
was  several  weeks  before  he  ventured  to  appear  on 
Cape  Ann  again;  but  even  that  tune  was  too  soon, 
for  he  was  arrested,  tried,  and  sentenced  to  the  State 
Prison  for  a  term  long  enough  to  give  him  ample 
opportunity  for  repentance  and  reformation. 

Mr.  Watson  has  paid  over  the  twenty-two  thou 
sand  dollars  to  Levi's  guardian;  Mr.  Hatch  has  re 
ceived  the  money  for  The  Starry  Flag;  and  the 
young  fisherman  is  no  longer  obliged  to  catch  dog- 


312  THE    STARRY    FLAG. 

fish  to  obtain  a  comfortable  living  and  a  good  edu. 
cation. 

The  excursion  to  Thatcher's  Island  came  off  as 
arranged,  and  the  party  had  a  splendid  time ;  and, 
though  Jenny  and  Estelle  "made  fun"  at  the  ex 
pense  of  Levi  and  Bessie,  the  latter  seemed  to  en 
joy  it  quite  as  much  as  her  companions. 

Mr.  Watson  purposes  to  erect  a  summer  resi 
dence  at  Rockport,  for  Bessie  declares  that  she 
must  go  there  every  season  as  long  as  she  lives. 
Last  spring,  Levi  spent  a  fortnight  in  Boston ;  and 
he  was  dressed  so  nicely  and  looked  so  manly,  be 
sides  being  so  brave,  noble,  and  good,  that  Bessie 
was  proud  to  go  with  him  to  the  concerts  and  lec 
tures  ;  and  withal,  he  invariably  created  quite  a 
sensation  when  he  was  introduced.  Knowing  peo 
ple  declare  that  he  will  eventually  possess  all  Mr. 
Watson's  large  property;  for  Bessie  still  thinks 
there  is  no  young  man  like  Levi,  and  takes  the 
greatest  delight  in  telling  about  THE  STARRY  FLAG, 
and  THE  YOUNG  FISHERMAN  or  CAPE  ANN. 


OLIVER    OPTICS    BOOKS 


All'Over-the- World  Library.    By  OLIVER  OPTIC.    First  Series 
Illustrated.     Price  per  volume,  $1.25. 

1.  A  missing  Million;  OR,  THE  ADVENTURES  OP  Louis  BELGRADE. 

2.  A  Millionaire   at  Sixteen;  OK,  THE  CRUISE  OF  THE  "  GUARDIAN 

MOTHER." 

3.  A   Young  Knight  Errant;  OR,  CRUISING  IN  THE  WEST  INDIES. 

4.  Strange  Sights  Abroad;  OR,  ADVENTURES  IN  EUROPEAN  WATERS. 


No  author  has  come  before  the  public  during  the  present  generation  who 


tairiing  series  "  around  the  world."  As  a  means  to  this  end.  the  hero  of  the 
story  purchases  a  steamer  which  he  names  the  "  Guardian  Mother,"  and 
with  a  number  of  guests  she  proceeds  on  her  voyage.  —  Christian  Work,  N.  Y. 

A.ll-Over-tlie-World    Library.      By  OLIVER  OPTIC.      Second 
Series.     Illustrated.     Price  per  volume,  $1.25. 

1.  American  Boys  Afloat;    OR,  CRUISING  IN  THE  ORIENT. 

2.  The    Young    Navigators ;    OR,    THE    FOREIGN    CRUISE    OF    THB 

"  MAUD." 

3.  Up  and  Down  the  Nile  ;  OR,  YOUNG  ADVENTURERS  IN  AFRICA. 

4.  Asiatic  Brrezes ;  OR,  STUDENTS  ON  THE  WING. 

The  interest  in  these  stories  is  continuous,  and  there  is  a  great  variety  ot 
exciting  incident  woven  into  the  solid  information  which  the  book  imparts  so 
generously  and  without  the  -slightest  suspicion  of  dryness.  Manly  boys 
will  welcome  this  volume  as  cordially  as  they  did  its  predecessors.  —  Boston 
Gazette, 

All-Oyer-the- World  Library.    By  OLIVER  OPTIC.    Third  Se 
ries.     Illustrated.     Price  per  volume,  $1.25. 

1.  Across  India ;  OR,  LIVE  BOYS  IN  THE  FAR  EAST. 

ii.  Half  Round  the  "World;  OR,  AMONG  THE  UNCIVILIZED. 

3.  Four  Y'ouiig  Explorers  ;  OR,  SIGHT-SEEING  IN  THE  TROPICS. 

4.  Pacific  Shores ;  OR,  ADVENTURES  IN  EASTERN  SEAS. 

Amid  such  new  and  varied  surroundings  it  would  be  surprising  indeed  if  the 
author,  with  his  faculty  of  making  even  the  commonplace  attractive,  did  not 
tell  an  intensely  interesting  story  of  adventure,  as  well  as  give  much  informa 
tion  in  regard  to  the  distant  countries  through  which  our  friends  pass,  and 
the  strange  peoples  with  whom  they  are  brought  in  contact.  This  book,  -ind 
indeed  the  whole  series,  is  admirably  adapted  to  reading  aloud  in  the  family 
circle,  each  volume  containing  matter  which  will  interest  all  the  members  of 
the  family. — Boston  Budget. 

LEE  AND  SHEPARD,  BOSTON,  SEND  THEIR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE  FREE. 


OLIVER  OPTIC'S  BOOKS 


The  Blue  and  the  Gray — Afloat.    By  OLIVER  OPTIC-    Six 

volumes.  Illustrated.  Beautiful  binding  in  blue  and  gray, 
with  emblematic  dies.  Cloth.  Any  volume  sold  separately. 
Price  per  volume,  $1.50. 

1.  Taken  by  the  Enemy.  4.    Stand  by  the  Union. 

2.  Within  the  Enemy's  Lines.  5.    Fighting  for  the  Right. 

3.  On  the  Blockade.  6.    A  Victorious  Union. 

The  Blue  and  the  Gray  —  on  Land. 

1.  Brother  against  Brother.  4.   On  the  Staff. 

2.  In  the  Saddh-.  5.   At  the  Front. 

3.  A  Lieutenant  at  Eighteen.  6.   An  Undivided   Union. 

"There  never  has  been  a  more  interesting1  writer  in  the  field  of  juvenilt 
literature  than  Mr.  W.  T.  ADAMS,  who,  under  his  well-known  pseudonym,  is 
known  and  admired  by  every  boy  and  girl  in  the  country,  and  by  thousands 
who  have  long  since  passed  the  boundaries  of  youth,  yet  who  remember  with 
pleasure  the  genial,  interesting  pen  that  did  so  much  to  interest,  instruct,  and 


ig  style 

series  is  as  bright  and  entertaining  as  any  work  that  Mr.  ADAMS  has  yet  put 
forth,  and  will  be  as  eagerly  perused  as  any  that  has  borne  his  name.  It  would 
not  be  fair  to  the  prospective  reader  to  deprive  him  of  the  zest  which  comes 
from  the  unexpected  by  entering  into  a  synopsis  of  the  .~i:orv.  A  word,  how 
ever,  should  be  said  in  regard  to  the  beauty  and  appropriateness  of  the  binding, 
which  makes  it  a  most  attractive  volume."  —  Boston  Budget. 

Woodville  Stories.     By  OLIVER  OPTIC.     Six  volumes.     Illus 
trated.    Any  volume  sold  separately.    Price  per  volume,  $1.25. 

1.  Rich  and  Humble;  OR,  THE  MISSION  OF  BERTHA  GRANT. 

2.  In  School  and  Out;  OR,  THE  CONQUEST  OF  RICHARD  GRANT. 

3.  Watch  and  Wait;  OR,  THE  YOUNG  FUGITIVES. 

4.  Work  and  Win;  OR,  NODDY  NEWMAN  ON  A  CRUISE. 

5.  Hope  and  Have;  OR,  FANNY  GRANT  AMONG  THE  INDIANS 

6.  Haste  and  Waste;  OR,  THE  YOUNG  PILOT  OF  LAKE  CHAMPLAII*. 
"  Though  we  are  not  so  young  as  we  once  were,  we  relished  these  stories 

almost  as  much  as  the  boys  and  girls  for  whom  they  were  written.  They  we:f 
really  refreshing,  even  to  us.  There  is  much  in  them  which  is  calculated  13 
inspire  a  generous,  healthy  ambition,  and  to  make  distasteful  all  reading  tend 
ing  to  stimulate  base  desires."  —  Fitchburg  Reveille. 

The  Starry  Flag  Series.    By  OLIVER  OPTIC.    In  six  volumes. 
Illustrated.     Any  volume  sold  separately.     Price  per  volume, 

$1.25. 

1.  The  Starry  Flag;  OR,  THE  YOUNG  FISHERMAN  OF  CAPE  ANN. 

2.  Breaking  Away;  OR,  THE  FORTUNES  OF  A  STUDENT. 

3.  Seek  and  Find;  OR,  THE  ADVENTURES  OF  A  SMART  BOY. 

4.  Freaks  of  Fortune;  OR,  HALF  ROUND  THE  WORLD. 
6.  Make  or  Break;   OR,  THE  RICH  MAN'S  DAUGHTER. 

6.  Down  the  River;  OR,  BUCK  BRADFORD  AND  THE  TYRANTS. 

"  Mr.  ADAMS,  the  celebrated  and  popular  writer,  familiarly  known  as  OLIVKR 
OPTIC,  seems  to  have  inexhaustible  funds  for  weaving  together  the  virtues  of 
life;  and,  notwithstanding  he  has  written  scores  of  books,  the  same  freshness 
and  novelty  run  through  them  all.  Some  people  think  the  sensational  element 
predominates.  Perhaps  it  does.  But  a  book  fbr  young  people  needs  this,  and 
so  long  as  good  sentiments  are  inculcated  such  books  ought  to  be  read." 

LEE  AND  SHEPARD,  BOSTON,  SEND  THEIR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE  FREE. 


OLIVER  OPTIC'S  BOOKS 


Army  and  Kavy  Stories.  By  OLIVER  OPTIC.  Six  volumes. 
Illustrated.  Any  volume  sold  separately.  Price  per  volume, 
$1.25. 

1.  The  Soldier  Boy;  OR,  TOM  SOMKRS  IN  THE  ARMY. 

2.  The  Sailor  Boy;  OR,  JACK  SOMERS  IN  THE  NAVY. 

3.  The  Young  Lieutenant;  OR,  ADVENTURES  OF  AN  ARMY  OFFICER. 

4.  The  Yankee  Middy;  OR,  ADVENTURES  OF  A  NAVY  OFFICER. 

5.  Fighting  Joe;  OR,  THE  FORTUNES  OF  A  STAFF  OFFICER. 

6.  Brave  Old  Salt;  OR,  LIFE  ON  THE  QUARTER  DECK. 

"This  series  of  six  volumes  recounts  the  adventures  of  two  brothers,  Tom 
and  Ja;k  Somers,  one  in  the  army,  the  other  in  the  navy,  in  the  great  Civil  War. 
The  romantic  narratives  of  the  fortunes  and  exploits  of  the  brothers  are  thrill 
ing1  in  the  extreme.  Historical  accuracy  in  the  recital  of  the  great  events  of 
that  period  is  strictly  followed,  and  the  result  is,  not  only  a  library  of  entertain 
ing  volumes,  but  also  the  best  history  of  the  Civil  War  for  young  people  ever 
written." 

Boat  Builders  Series.    By  OLIVER  OPTIC.     In  six  volumes. 

Illustrated.     Any  volume  sold  separately.     Price  per  volume, 

$1.25. 

1.  All  Adrift;  OR,  THE  GOLDWING  CLUB. 
J5.  Snug  Harbor;  OR,  THE  CHAMPLAIN  MECHANICS. 

3.  Square  and  Compasses;  OR,  BUILDING  THE  HOUSE. 

4.  Stem  to  Stern;  OR,  BUILDING  THE  BOAT. 

5.  All  Taut;  OR,  RIGGING  THE  BOAT. 

6.  Beady  About;  OR,  SAILING  THE  BOAT. 

"  The  series  includes  in  six  successive  volumes  the  whole  art  of  boat  building, 
boat  rigging,  boat  managing,  and  practical  hints  to  make  the  ownership  of  a 
boat  pay.  A  great  deal  of  useful  information  is  given  in  this  Boat  Builders 
Series,  and  in  <»ach  book  a  very  interesting  story  is  interwoven  with  the  infor 
mation.  Every  reader  will  be  interested  at  once  in  Dory,  the  hero  of  'All 
Adrift,"  and  one  of  the  characters  retained  in  the  subsequent  volumes  of  the 
series.  His  friends  will  not  want  to  lose  sight  of  him,  and  every  boy  who 
makes  his  acquaintance  in  '  All  Adrift '  will  become  his  friend." 

Riverdale  Story  Books.  By  OLIVER  OPTIC.  Twelve  vol 
umes.  Illustrated.  Illuminated  covers.  Price:  cloth,  per 
set,  $3.60;  per  volume,  30  cents;  paper,  per  set,  $2.00. 

1.  Little  Merchant.  7.    Proud  and  Lazy. 

2.  Young  Voyagers.  8.    Careless  Kate. 

3.  Christmas  Gift.  9.    Robinson  Crusoe,  Jr. 

4.  Dolly  and  I.  1O.    The  Picnic  Party. 

5.  Uncle  Ben.  11.    The  Gold  Thimble. 

6.  Birthday  Party.  12.    The  Do-Somethings. 

Riverdale  Story  Books.    By  OLIVER  OPTIC.    Six  volumes. 

Illustrated.     Fancy  cloth  and  colors.     Price  per  volume,  30 

cents. 

J.    Little  Merchant.  4.    Careless  Kate. 

8.    Proud  and  Lazy.  5.    Dolly  and  I. 

3.    Young  Voyagers.  6.    Robinson  Crusoe,  Jr. 

Flora  Lee  Library.  By  OLIVER  OPTIC.  Six  volumes.  Illus 
trated.  Fancy  cloth  and  colors.  Price  per  volume,  30 
cents. 

1.  The  Picnic  Party.  4.    Christmas  Gift. 

2.  The  Gold  Thimble.  5.    Uncle  Ben. 

3.  The  Do-Somethings.  6.    Birthday  Party. 

These  are  bright  short  stories  for  younger  children  who  are  unable  to  com 

"  They 


LEE  AND  SHEPARD,  BOSTON,  SEND  THEIR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE  FRFF 


OLIVER  OPTIC'S   BOOKS 


The  Great  Western  Series.  By  OLIVER  OPTIC.  In  six  yol- 
umes.  Illustrated.  Any  volume  sold  separately.  Price  per 
volume,  $1.25. 

1.  Going  West;  OR,  THE  PERILS  OF  A  POOR  Bov, 
".  Out  West;  OR,  ROUGHING  IT  ON  THE  GREAT  LAKES. 

3.  L,ake  Breezes;  OR,  THE  CRUISE  OF  THE  SYLVANIA. 

4.  Going  South;  OR,  YACHTING  ON  THE  ATLANTIC  COAST. 

5.  Down  South;  OR,  YACHT  ADVENTURES  IN  FLORIDA. 
G.  Up  tho  River;  OR,  YACHTING  ON  THE  MISSISSIPPI. 

"This  is  the  latest  scries  of  books  issued  by  this  popular  writer,  and  deal  r 
with  life  on  the  Great  Lakes,  for  which  a  careful  study  was  made  by  the  author 
in  a  summer  tour  of  the  immense  water  sources  of  America.  The  story,  which 
carries  the  same  hero  through  the  six  books  of  the  series,  is  always  entertain- 
in?,  novel  scenes  and  varied  incidents  giving  a  constantly  changing-  yet  always 
attractive  aspect  to  the  narrative.  OLIVER  OPTIC  has  written  nothing  better." 

The  Yacht  Club  Series.  By  OLIVER  OPTIC.  r.i  six  volumes. 
Illustrated.  Any  volume  sold  separately.  Price  per  volume, 
$1.25. 

1.  Little  Bobtail;  OR,  THE  WRECK  OF  THE  PENOBSCOT. 

2.  The  Yacht  Club;  OR,  THE  YOUNG  BOAT  BUILDERS. 

3.  Money-Maker;  OR,  THE  VICTORY  OF  THE  BASILISK. 

4.  The  Coming  Wave;  OR,  THE  TREASURE  OF  HIGH  ROCK, 

5.  The  Dorcas  Club;  OR,  OUR  GIRLS  AFLOAT. 
G.  Ocean  Born;  on,  THE  CRUISE  OF  THE  CLUBS. 

"The  series  has  this  peculiarity,  that  all  of  its  constituent  volumes  are  inde 
pendent  of  one  another,  and  therefore  each  story  is  complete  in  itself.  OLIVER 
OPTIC  is,  perhaps,  the  favorite  author  of  the  boys  and  girls  of  this  countrv,  and 
he  seems  destined  to  enjoy  an  endless  popularity.  He  deserves  his  success, 
for  he  makes  very  interesting  stories,  and  inculcates  none  but  the  best  senti 
ments,  and  the  'Yacht  Club"  is  no  exception  to  this  rule."  —  New  Haven 
Journal  and  Courier. 

Onward  and  Upward  Series.    By  OLIVER  OPTIC.    In  six 

volumes.     Illustrated.     Any  volume  sold  separately.     Price 
per  volume,  $1.25. 

1.  Field  and  Forest;  OR,  THE  FORTUNES  OF  A  FARMER. 

2.  Plane  and  Plank;  OR,  THE  MISHAPS  OF  A  MECHANIC. 

3.  Desk  and  Debit;  OR,  THE  CATASTROPHES  OF  A  CLERK. 

4.  Cringle  and  Crosstree;  OR,  THE  SEA  SWASHES  OF  A  SAILOR. 

5.  Bivouac  and  Battle;  OR,  THE  STRUGGLES  OF  A  SOLDIER. 

6.  Sea  and  Shore;  OR,  THE  TRAMPS  OF  A  TRAVELLER. 

"Paul  Farringford,  the  hero  of  these  tales,  is,  like  most  of  this  author's 
heroes,  a  young  man  of  high  spirit,  and  of  high  aims  and  correct  principles, 
appearing  in  the  different  volumes  as  a  farmer,  a  captain,  a  bookkeeper,  a 
soldier,  a  snilor,  and  a  traveller.  In  all  of  them  the  hero  meets  with  very 
exciting  adventures,  told  in  the  graphic  style  for  which  the  author  is  famous. 

The  Liake  Shore  Series.  By  OLIVER  OPTIC.  In  six  volumes. 
Illustrated.  Any  volume  sold  separately.  Price  per  volume, 
$1.25. 

1.  Through,  by  Daylight;   OR,  THE  YOUNG  ENGINEER  OF  THE  LAKH 

SHORE  RAILROAD. 

2.  lightning  Express;  OR,  THE  RIVAL  ACADEMIES. 

3.  On  Time;  OR,  THE  YOUNG  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  UCAYGA  STEAMER. 

4.  Switch  Off;  OR,  THE  WAR  OF  THE  STUDENTS. 
6.   Brake  Up;  OR,  THE  YOUNG  PEACEMAKERS. 

6.  Bear  and  Forbear;  OR,  THE  YOUNG  SKIPPER  OF  LAKE  UCAYGA. 

"  OLIVER  OPTIC  is  one  of  the  most  fascinating  writers  for  youth,  and  withal 
one  of  the  best  to  be  found  in  this  or  any  past  age.  Troops  of  young  people 
hang1  over  his  vivid  pages;  and  not  one  of  them  ever  learned  to  be  mean,  ignoble, 
cowardly,  selfish,  or  to  yield  to  any  vice  from  anything  they  ever  read  from  his 
pen."  —  Providence  Pres~, 

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OLIVER  OPTIC'S  BOOKS 

The  Famous  Boat  Club  Series.    By  OLIVER  OPTIC.    Six 

volumes.     Illustrated.     Any  volume   sold  separately.     Price 
per  volume  $1.25. 

1.  The  Boat  Club ;  OR,  THE  BUNKERS  OF  RIPPLETON. 

3.  All  Aboard  $  OR,  LIFE  ON  THE  LAKE. 

3.  Now  or  UTever;  OR,  THE  ADVENTURES  OF  BOBBY  BRIGHT. 

4.  Try  Again;  OR,  THE -TRIALS  AND  TRIUMPHS  OF  HARRY  WEST. 

5.  Poor  and  Proud ;  OR,  THE  FORTUNES  OF  KATY  REDBURN. 
«.  Little  by  Little  ;  OR,  THE  CRUISE  OF  THE  FLYAWAY. 

"  This  is  the  first  series  of  books  written  for  the  young  by  OLIVER  OPTIC. 
It  laid  the  foundation  for  his  fame  as  the  first  of  authors  in  which  the  young 
delight,  and  gained  for  him  the  title  of  the  Prince  of  Story  Tellers.  The  six 
books  are  varied  in  incident  and  plot,  but  all  are  entertaining  and  original." 

(Other  volumes  in  preparation.) 

Young  America  Abroad:  A  LIBRARY  OF  TRAVEL  AND 
ADVENTURE  IN  FOREIGN  LANDS.  By  OLIVER  OPTIC.  Illus 
trated  by  NAST  and  others.  First  Series.  Six  volumes. 
Any  volume  sold  separately.  Price  per  volume,  $1.25. 

1.  Outward  Bound;  OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  AFLOAT. 

2.  Shamrock  and  Thistle;    OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  IRELAND  AND 

SCOTLAND. 
S.  Red  Cross;  OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  ENGLAND  AND  WALES. 

4.  Dikes    and    Ditches;    OR,    YOUNG    AMERICA    IN    HOLLAND    AND 

BELGIUM. 

5.  Palace    and   Cottage;    OR,    YOUNG    AMERICA,   IN    FRANCE    AND 

SWITZERLAND. 

6.  Down  the  Rhine;  OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  GERMANY, 

"The  story  from  its  inception,  and  through  the  twelve  volumes  (see  Second 
Series),  is  a  bew'tching  one,  while  the  information  imparted  concerning  the 
countries  of  Europe  ana  the  isles  of  the  sea  is  not  only  correct  in  every  particu 
lar,  but  is  told  in  a  captivating  style.  OLIVER  OPTIC  will  continue  to  be  the 
boys'  friend,  and  his  pleasant  books  will  continue  to  be  read  by  thousands  of 
American  boys.  What  a  fine  holiday  present  either  or  both  series  of '  Young 
America  Abroad '  would  be  for  a  young  friend !  It  would  make  a  little  library 
highly  prized  by  the  recipient,  and  would  not  be  an  expensive  one." — Provi 
dence  Press. 

Young1  America  Abroad.  By  OLIVER  OPTIC.  Second  Series. 
Six  volumes.  Illustrated.  Any  volume  sold  separately. 
Price  per  volume,  $1.25. 

1.  Up  the  Baltic;   OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  NORWAY,  SWEDEN,  AND 

DENMARK. 

2.  Northern  Lands;  OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  RUSSIA  AND  PKUSSIA. 

3.  Cross  and  Crescent;  OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  TURKEY  AND  GKEI-CE. 

4.  Sunny  Shores;  OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  ITALY  AND  AUSTKIA. 

6.  Vine  and  Olive;  OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  IN  SPAIN  AND  PORTUGAL. 
6.  Isles  of  the  Sea;  OR,  YOUNG  AMERICA  HOMEWARD  BOUND. 
"  OLIVER  OPTIC  is  a  nom  deplume  that  is  known  and  loved  by  almost  every 
boy  of  intelligence  in  the  land.     We  have  seen  a  highly  intellectual  and  world- 


ness,  can  thus  find  pleasure  in  a  book  for  boys,  no  additional  words  of  recoo 
mendation  are  needed."  — Sunday  Times. 

LEE  AND  SHEPARD,  BOSTON,  SEND  THEIR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE  FREE. 


LEE  AND  SHEPARD'S  ILLUSTRATED   JUVENILES 


J.   T.   TROWBRIDGE'S  BOOKS 


THE  START  IN  LIFE   SERIES.    4  volumes. 

A.  Start   in  Life :  A  STORY  OF   THE  GENESEE  COUNTRY.     By 
J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE.     Illustrated.     $1.00. 

In  this  story  the  author  recounts  the  hardships  of  a  young  lad  in  his  first 
endeavor  to  start  out  for  himself.  It  is  a  tale  that  is  full  of  enthusiasm  and 
budding-  hopes.  The  writer  shows  how  hard  the  youths  of  a  century  ago  were 
compelled  to  work.  This  he  does  in  an  entertaining  way,  mingling-  fun  and 
adventures  with  their  daily  labors.  The  hero  is  a  striking  example  of  the 
honest  boy,  who  is  not  too  lazy  to  work,  nor  too  dull  to  thoroughly  appreciate 
a  joke. 

Biding  His  Time.     By  J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE.     Illustrated.     $1.00. 

"  It  is  full  of  spirit  and  adventure,  and  presents  a  plucky  hero  who  was  willing 
to  '  bide  his  time,"  no  matter  how  great  the  expectations  that  he  indulged  in 
from  his  uncle's  vast  wealth,  which  he  did  not  in  the  least  covet.  .  .  .  He  was 
left  a  poor  orphan  in  Ohio  at  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  soon  after  heard  of  a 
rich  uncle,  who  lived  near  Boston.  He  sets  off  on  the  long-  journey  to  Boston, 
finds  his  uncle,  an  eccentric  old  man,  is  hospitably  received  by  him,  but  seeks 
employment  in  a  humble  way,  and  proves  that  he  is  a  persevering  and  plucky 
young  man."  —  Boston  Home  Journal. 

The  Kelp  Gatherers:   A  STORY  OF   THE  MAINE  COAST.     By 
J.  T.  TROWBRIDGE.     Illustrated.     $1.00. 

This  book  is  full  of  interesting  information  upon  the  plant  life  of  the  sea 
shore,  and  the  life  of  marine  animals;  but  it  is  also  a  bright  and  readable 
story,  with  all  the  hints  of  character  and  the  vicissitudes  of  human  life,  in 
depicting  which  the  author  is  an  acknowledged  master. 

The    Scarlet    Taiiager,    AND    OTHER   BIPEDS.     By  J.    T. 
TROWBRIDGE.     Illustrated.     $1.00. 

Every  new  story  which  Mr.  TROWBRIDGE  begins  is  followed  through  succes 
sive  chapters  by  thousands  who  have  read  and  re-read  many  times  his  preceding- 
tales.  One  of  his  greatest  charms  is  his  absolute  truthfulness.  lie  docs  not 
depict  little  saints,  or  incorrigible  rasc;.'s,  but  just  boys.  This  same  fidelity  to 
nature  is  seen  in  his  latest  book,  "The  Scarlet  Tanager,  and  Other  Bipeds." 
There  is  enough  adventure  in  this  tale  to  commend  it  to  the  liveliest  reader, 
»nd  all  the  lessons  it  teaches  are  wholesome. 

LEE  AND  SHEPARX  BOSTON.  SEND  THEIR  COMPLETE  CATALOGUE  FREE. 


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